Introduction

The International Seminar on Biomass and Biorefinery Industry (ISBBI) 2018 was organized by the Research Centre for Sustainable Process Technology (CESPRO), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The co-organizers are the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia-Yayasan Sime Darby (UKM-YSD) chair on sustainable development, Long Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS), Malaysian Biomass Industries Confederation (MBIC) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

The primary focus of the event was to provide a platform for like-minded scientists, academics and industry players across different Asian countries to disseminate and discuss their recent findings, knowledge, innovations and developments on biorefinery conversion technology, chain development, economic value and social sustainability on subject to palm oil sector, as well as conversion of biomass to value-added product.

The event was attended by over 100 participants locally and internationally. There were 3 international speakers on the day, which include Prof. Dr. Shu Yii Wu (Feng Chia University, Taiwan), Prof. Dr. Alissara Reungsang (Khon Kaen University, Thailand) and Dr. Ir. Hens Saputra (Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), Indonesia). There were a total of 8 local speakers, 4 of which was from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; they are Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Abdul Wahab Mohammad, Prof. Dr. Sarani Zakaria, Dr. Puan Yatim and Dr. Shuhaida Harun. The invited speakers from reputable industries included Dato’ Leong Kin Mun (MBIC, Environmental Preservation and Innovation Centre (EPIC) and Primer Capital Sdn Bhd), Dr. Vijaya Subramaniam (Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Mr. Mohd. Zulkarnaini Wahab (Waris Nove Sdn Bhd) and Dr. Wan Asma Wan Ibrahim (Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)). The topics presented were as follows: