Indigenous Materials as Catalyst Supports for Renewable Diesel Production in Malaysia

High energy demand from the market due to the rapid increment of the human population worldwide has urged society to explore alternatives to replace non-renewable energy. Renewable diesel produced from biomass could be the next potential energy source for its high stability, long-term storage, and comparable performance with diesel fuels. In producing renewable diesel, the application of catalyst is essential, and the catalyst support is synthesized with the catalyst to enhance the reaction rate and catalytic properties. In this review, the type of catalyst support will be reviewed along with a brief introduction to biodiesel and renewable diesel production, especially focusing on zeolites as the catalyst support. The enhancement of catalyst support will be critically discussed to improve the catalytic performance of support in renewable diesel production and important aspects such as the stability and recyclability of the supported catalyst are included. The application of the supported catalyst in increasing the selectivity and yield of renewable diesel is significant, in which the catalytic properties depend on the interaction between catalyst and catalyst support. The supported catalyst as a favorable substance to assist in enhancing renewable diesel yield could lead to a sustainable and greener future for the biofuel industry in Malaysia.