Malaysia plans to build a large palm oil-based biodiesel plant in its southern state of Johor, with a yearly production capacity of 120,000 tons, a local newspaper reported Wednesday.

The plant, possibly Asia's 4th largest in terms of capacity, will be a joint venture between Carotine Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), the New Straits Times (NST) reported.

With a cost of at least 80 million ringgit (21.62 million U.S. dollars), the plant, to be based in Pasir Gudang in the southernmost state, is expected to be completed in 12 months.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will reveal details of the plant later this month, according to the report.

"The blueprint of the plant is being developed which will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval," a Malaysian Palm Oil Council official told the NST.

Source: Xinhua