Plans to step up the use of 20% palm oil in biodiesel in Sabah and Sarawak’s transport sector will be delayed due to curbs on movement imposed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the Borneo Post reported on 20 May.

State-owned Chinese companies have continued to buy US soyabeans despite the government telling them to halt purchases, Reuters reported sources as saying on 1 June.

Our first webinar will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on global oils and fats supply, demand and prices.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed increasing the amount of biofuels that refiners must blend into their fuel next year, Reuters reported two sources as saying on 20 May.

The Chinese government’s order to state-run agricultural companies to pause purchases of some US farm goods, including soyabeans, could threaten the trade deal between the two countries, Bloomberg reported sources as saying on 1 June.

Swiss speciality chemicals firm Clariant announced on 26 May that it is expanding its production capacity for plant-based mild surfactants at its current facilities in Spain and the USA.

Dutch speciality edible oils and fats company Bunge Loders Croklaan (BLC) has introduced a total fat system solution designed to reduce the sugar content of confectionery, the company announced on 13 May.

German chemicals giant Bayer has reportedly reached verbal agreements to settle up to 85,000 of the 125,000 cancer lawsuits pending over the use of Monsanto Co’s Roundup weedkiller, the Independent reported sources familiar with the negotiations as saying on 26 May.

Sales of palm oil for oleochemical products in Indonesia rose by 14.5% during March, the Jakarta Globe quoted the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki) as saying on 13 May.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reaffirmed that the weed killer chemical, glyphosate, is safe and not likely to be carcinogenic to humans.

Consuming coconut oil leads to higher levels of LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol compared with other vegetable oils and holds no benefits with regards to body fatness, inflammation, blood sugar, or heart health, reports the Cardivascular Research Foundation’s TCTMD website.

With COVID-19 making its impact felt across all aspects of the oils and fats supply chain, what is the outlook in major consuming countries such as China and India, what are the other factors that will influence the market, and how will the industry weather the economic challenges ahead?

Palm oil traders in Thailand are set to discuss the use of blockchain in their industry with the country’s energy business department, the Bangkok Post reported on 14 May.