Kelantan Innovators Turn Used Cooking Oil Into Sustainable Jet Fuel

KOTA BHARU, Nov 9 (Bernama) — What many see as waste has become a breakthrough innovation for two Kelantan-born entrepreneurs who have successfully turned used cooking oil into a sustainable aviation fuel capable of powering aircraft.

Muhammad Arif Arman Suddin, 30, a former aircraft engineer, and his friend Mohammad Azhan Shamsu Anuar, 28, co-founders of Arjuna Dharma Global, transformed discarded kitchen oil into an alternative energy source after recognising its vast potential.

Speaking to Bernama recently, Muhammad Arif Arman said his experience in the aviation industry inspired them to find innovative methods to convert waste into renewable energy.

“It took us about eight months from last year to conduct extensive research and countless trial-and-error experiments to master the process of producing fuel from used cooking oil,” he said.

Armed with his engineering background and knowledge gained while studying at Universiti Kuala Lumpur, he said their perseverance finally paid off when, in February, their processed used oil began attracting interest from several aviation fuel suppliers.

Muhammad Arif Arman explained that the production process involves several rigorous stages, including fine filtration to ensure the product meets the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Corsia (ISCC CORSIA) standards.

He said the used cooking oil is collected from households, traders and companies across the East Coast states and Perak before being filtered, weighed and stored in tanks for further processing.

“We buy used cooking oil at between RM2.30 and RM3 per kilogramme, depending on the location. Every day, our team collects nearly 5,000 litres of used oil from several states for processing,” he said.

According to him, only oil derived from vegetable sources qualifies under ISCC CORSIA criteria, with preliminary checks made on the oil’s smell, colour and density to ensure compliance with required standards.

Once processed, the used cooking oil is delivered in batches of about 33,000 litres to Fima Bulking Group in Port Klang, then supplied to international aviation fuel companies.

“To date, our processed oil has received regular orders from several jet fuel suppliers in Amsterdam, Switzerland and the United States.

“This fuel can only be supplied to companies certified under ISCC CORSIA, and its use has been proven to reduce carbon emissions by up to four times compared to conventional kerosene,” said Muhammad Arif Arman, adding that the venture now generates a six-figure monthly income.

He hopes more Malaysians will recognise the economic and environmental value of used cooking oil.

“We want to prove that domestic waste such as used cooking oil can become a clean energy source for the future. The government is already moving towards commercialising Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and Malaysia is expected to begin the production of SAF before the end of 2025,” he added.

— BERNAMA

Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial