Multi-criteria approach to assess stakeholders preferences for selection of biodiesel feedstock in Vietnam

Biodiesel has been proposed as an alternative to petroleum diesel fuel in Vietnam but Vietnam is a net importer of vegetable oil. Decision-makers face challenges in crafting a long-term policy for sustainable development of biodiesel that balances social, technological, economic and environmental aspects. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied in this study to find the most appropriate feedstock for biodiesel production in Vietnam among three possible options: jatropha oil, fish fat and waste cooking oil. The judgments of different Vietnamese stakeholders, such as academics, heads of biodiesel projects, managers in Petrovietnam Corporation, and engineers were incorporated. The stakeholders showed different preferences as reflected in the priority weights of criteria and alternatives. The priority weights of alternatives under the judgments of multiple stakeholders indicate that waste cooking oil is the most preferred feedstock to produce biodiesel in Vietnam followed by jatropha oil and fish fat. © Copyright 2016 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd