Platts proposes updates to Malaysia POME assessment laycan and specifications

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, is proposing to update its Asia Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) FOB Malaysia assessment (APOMB00), effective July 1, 2025, to better reflect the typical quality and loading laycan of POME currently traded in the spot market.

Platts has observed the maximum free fatty acids (FFA) value for Asia POME has been trending lower due to the market practice of collecting fresher POME with a lower FFA value from palm oil mills. Therefore, Platts is proposing to update its POME FOB Malaysia assessment to reflect a FFA of maximum 50%.

Other quality specifications reflected would remain unchanged.

Platts is also proposing to narrow the loading period for its POME FOB Malaysia assessment to better reflect typical trading norms.

Platts proposes to reflect POME cargoes loading during a 45-day period covering three half months, starting 15 days forward from the date of publication. The assessment laycan would roll over to the next 45 days on the 1st and 16th of each month, or the first publishing day after if they fall on weekends or a public holiday.

For example, on Aug. 1, 2025, the Platts POME FOB Malaysia assessment would reflect cargoes loading Aug 16 to Sept. 30 reflecting H2 August, H1 September and H2 September. On Aug. 18, 2025, the assessment would reflect cargoes loading in H1 September, H2 September and H1 October.

The proposed changes to assessment laycan and quality specifications are listed in the table below:

Asia POME FOB Malaysia (APOMB00)

The assessments are published on Platts Biofuels Alert pages 2310, 2311 and 2312, in daily Platts Biofuelscan and Weekly Biomass-Based Diesel Report.

Platts FOB Indonesia POME assessment publication is currently suspended (opens in a new tab)due to the export restrictions of POME from Indonesia.

Platts continuously reviews its assessment methodology and seeks to reflect the most up-to-date specifications observed for its market coverage.

The full Global Biofuels methodology & specifications guide can be found at https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/our-methodology/methodology-specifications/agriculture/biofuels-methodology(opens in a new tab).

Platts invites feedback, comments and questions on this proposal to MRTS_biofuelsandfeedstocks@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by June 20, 2025.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.