CONCURRENT PROGRAMME

DOWNSTREAM AND VALUE ADDITION (DVA)

SESSION 1 & 2: OLEO & SPECIALTY CHEMICALS

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the looming global economic downturn, a series of unprecedented events have impacted every industry including the oleochemical industry. Hence, taking proactive actions to navigate uncertainties and build resilience to stay relevant in business are necessary. Therefore, this session focuses on novel technologies and oleochemical products with high-value additions for consumers and industrial uses. Topics relevant to current issues such as technology on glycerol derivatives, current market and demands of oleochemicals, updates on bio-lubricants, and diversification of oleochemicals into adhesives and bio-based chemicals will be disseminated for the betterment of the oleochemical industry.

SESSION 3 : BIOMASS UTILISATION

Maximising the conversion of lignocellulosic-rich oil palm biomass into value-added resources for the biochemical, bioenergy and wood-based industries has long been one of the oil palm industryโ€™s goals in the transformation of valuable waste to wealth. This session will explore value-added utilisation of oil palm biomass derivatives in green medium density fibreboards (MDF) and nanocellulose as sustainable future material for versatile applications. In addition, prominent experts will be sharing their insights on the latest technological advancements on oil palm biomass conversion into niche products ranging from charcoal to advanced carbon products, as well as highlighting recent trends and advances in the manufacture of paper packaging.

SESSION 4 : FEED INNOVATION & FOOD VALORISATION

This session provides an interdisciplinary platform crossing boundaries for researchers and industry members to present and deliberate on the upcoming global consumer trends, health concerns, food security, sustainability, challengers, potential palm oil based innovative solutions, options and inspiration. Besides, this session also provides a multidisciplinary and cross disciplinary platform for researchers and practitioners to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, concerns, challenges and solutions in livestock management. Innovations in livestock nutrition and management are potential ways to achieve high levels of animal welfare, high-quality and safe animal products, and minimize impact and stress on the environment.

SESSION 5 : RENEWABLE ENERGY

Renewable energy offers many benefits, in particular for mitigating carbon emissions. Future energy system should shift from heavily polluting fossil fuels to clean, zero-carbon sources by exploiting different renewable resources such as oil palm biomass from the palm oil industry. Besides being a food source, the various oil palm by-products generated from the milling and plantation activities hold much potential as a source of green products or energy to decarbonize fossil-based industries. This session disseminates some of the key technologies, biomass conversion platforms and issues and challenges faced globally in production of palm-based renewable energy, including biodiesel, second generation biofuels and aviation fuel and their future prospects.