Malaysian biomass producer Rainbow Pellet Sdn Bhd has commissioned the world's first commercial-scale Steam-Ex pellet plant for empty fruit bunches (EFBs) at its facility in Kuala Lipis, using technology supplied by Austrian engineering group ANDRITZ.
The plant converts EFBs — a low-value residual stream from oil palm processing — into advanced solid biofuels suitable for direct coal replacement. The startup marks what both companies describe as a significant milestone in the industrial-scale valorisation of agricultural residues that would otherwise go underutilised.
The Steam-Ex line incorporates ANDRITZ pretreatment equipment based on steam explosion technology, with ANDRITZ also providing automation, system integration and startup support.
Paul Wong, executive director at Rainbow Pellet, said the plant "represents a decisive step" for the company and for the commercial-scale use of EFBs, adding that ANDRITZ's involvement had been essential to bringing the project into operation.
Maximilian Lehr, technology manager at ANDRITZ, said the milestone demonstrated Steam-Ex technology's potential to unlock value from underutilised biomass residues and provides a platform for future investment in the technology.
Rainbow Pellet, which is also active in forest plantations, said it aims to play a leading role in the regional bioenergy and bio-based materials market. The company indicated the Kuala Lipis plant is intended to serve as a foundation for broader rollout of the technology.
Rainbow Pellet starts up world’s first commercial-scale biomass Steam-Ex pellet plant
Credit: Andritz
