Keynote, Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
Catalytic innovations for biomass conversion: driving Malaysia’s green economy Hwei Voon Lee 1* , N. Asikin Mijan 2 , G. AbdulKareem-Alsultan 3 , Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap 3 , Juan Joon Ching 4 1 Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2 Catalysis Science and Technology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. 3 Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. E-mail: leehweivoon@um.edu.my As a leading producer and exporter of palm oil products, Malaysia has emerged as a potential hub for biomass processing in Southeast Asia, thanks to its vast reserves of affordable and plentiful oil palm biomass. The Malaysian government has identified the biomass sector as a key area for driving economic growth. To maximize the use of renewable resources, the industry aims to transition from low-value to high-value biomass-based products. However, the complex ultrastructure of biomass contributed to robust lignin layers, limited cellulose accessibility to chemicals, high cellulose crystallinity, and intricate oxygenated compounds, poses challenges in biomass pretreatment and results in low-quality bio- based products. These issues lead to harsh processing conditions, wastewater production, and elevated manufacturing costs. Consequently, the question arises: Is biomass reuse a waste or wealth? Hence, the present study discusses the molecular basis of biomass recalcitrance and explores the reengineering processes for converting various biomass types into desired compounds through catalytic approaches using transition metal-based catalysts. The focus will be on biofuel, biochemical, and biomaterial production from biomass, in line with SDG 7 and SDG 12. Key words: Biomass valorisation, Deoxygenation, Oxidative-hydrolysis, Green chemistry, Sustainable environment References 1. Asikin-Mijan, N.,...& Lee, H. V. (2023). Catalysis Communications, 182, 106741. 2. Why, E. S. K.,....Lee, H. V.(2022). Energy, 239, 122017. 3. Ng, B. Y. S.,...& Lee, H. V. (2022). Industrial Crops and Products, 175, 114224.
4. Ambursa, M. M.,...& Lee, H. V. (2021). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 138, 110667. 5. Chen, Y. W.,.... & Lee, H. V. (2018). International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 107, 78-92. 6. Asikin-Mijan, N.,...& Lee, H. V.(2017). Journal of Cleaner Production, 167, 1048-1059. 7. Chen, Y. W.,...Lee, H. V. (2017). Carbohydrate polymers, 157, 1511-1524.
© The Author(s), 2025
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog