XMUM Alumnus Shares Research on Sustainable Agriculture at Global IChemE Webinar
Yeow Teck Ann, a graduate of the Bachelor of Chemical Engineering programme at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), recently presented his research at a global webinar organised by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), a UK-based professional body for chemical engineers. He was joined by his supervisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Jian Ping from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering (SECE), XMUM.
The webinar, titled Sustainable Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Biofertiliser, and Circular Bioeconomy in Southeast Asia, was hosted by the Palm Oil Processing Special Interest Group (POPSIG) under IChemE on 26 May 2025. It brought together participants from both academia and industry across the UK and other regions.
Yeow Teck Ann's presentation highlighted two research projects supported by the IChemE POPSIG Research Bursary affiliated with Xiamen University Malaysia. These projects, awarded in 2022 and 2023 under grant codes EENG0039 and EENG0052, received funding and support from the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), Desmet Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., and KL-Kepong Industrial Holdings Sdn. Bhd. The research has led to a publication in a Q1 Web of Science-indexed journal, with additional manuscripts in preparation.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669024017412
The research explores the conversion of palm oil waste into valuable resources using Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL). By combining oil palm fronds and decanter cake with beneficial bacteria, the team developed a method to produce high-quality larvae suitable for insect-based animal feed. This approach supports efforts to reduce agricultural waste and promotes more sustainable practices in palm oil production, aligning with global environmental goals such as the 39% carbon reduction target outlined during COP28.
The session began with introductory remarks by Dr. Tan Jian Ping, who provided an overview of XMUM’s research initiatives in sustainable agriculture and the circular bioeconomy. Yeow Teck Ann then shared key findings from the projects, co-supervised by Dr. Norazira Abdu Rahman and Dr. Erik Hui Yew Woh from the China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences (CAMS).
Circular Bioeconomy – Oil palm waste to liquid biofertiliser
In addition to his current role as an imaging geophysicist at Viridien, Yeow Teck Ann remains involved in research activities at XMUM as a part-time biochemical engineering researcher. He continues to collaborate with Dr. Tan Jian Ping on biofertiliser production from agricultural biomass using co-culture bacteria. Along with his former classmates, he co-founded Agrofly, a biotechnology startup based on their research, which was selected as a finalist in the MYStartup Pre-Accelerator Cohort 3, a national initiative by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). The startup is currently seeking early-stage funding through research grants or equity-based investment.
Click to read more abou this event: https://www.icheme.org/knowledge-networks/communities/special-interest-groups/palm-oil-processing-sig/events/26-05-2025-sustainable-black-soldier-fly-larvae-biofertiliser-and-circular-bioeconomy-in-southeast-asia/