In Malaysia, biomass resources are mainly from the palm oil, wood and agro-industries. All of these residues come in many forms such as palm oil mill residues, bagasse, rice husks and wood/forest residues. Major sources of biomass come from the oil palm residues in the form of empty fruit bunches (EFB), fibers, shells, palm trunks, fronds and palm oil mill effluent (POME). The energy content in each residue is different to each other. This is mainly because the caloric value, moisture content and some other parameters that are different.

As shown in table below, the palm oil residues accounts for the largest biomass waste production in the country. This is because the palm oil mill residues are easily available and are presently requiring cost effective means of disposal. Currently, most of these residues are disposed of through incineration and dumping. A small portion is used as fuel for the mills’ heat and power requirement in a very inefficient manner.