Chan (centre) chairing the meeting.
.With a RM70 million investment, this initiative is poised to bring substantial benefits to the local community.
Nikko Fabian
KOTA KINABALU : Federal Plantation and Commodities Deputy Minister Chan Foong Hin expressed strong support for the establishment of a biomass hub in Sandakan by Nextgreen Global Berhad snd Sawit Kinabalu Group.
During a meeting with Nextgreen Global managing director Dato Lim Thiam Huat, the Deputy Minister said the collaboration is aimed to establish a pioneering biomass hub in Sabah.
Chan said the project, a key component of the National Biomass Action Plan 2023-2030, aims to leverage palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) to produce environmentally friendly, high-value products.
Nextgreen Global Berhad is a Malaysia-based company renowned for its expertise in transforming biomass resources, particularly oil palm biomass, into a diverse range of sustainable products such as pulp and paper, fertilizers, animal feed, and bioenergy.
Chan said the company’s commitment to green technology is exemplified by its existing Green Technology Park (GTP) in Pekan, Pahang, with plans for expansion across Malaysia, starting with Sabah.
“The collaboration between Nextgreen and the Sawit Kinabalu Group marks a strategic partnership aimed at driving innovation and sustainability in the biomass industry, ” Chan said.
By pooling their resources and expertise, the two entities are set to launch a groundbreaking biomass hub development project in Sandakan, with an investment exceeding RM70 million, Lim told Chan.
This initiative is poised to bring substantial benefits to the local community by creating value-added products such as pulp and paper, biodegradable food containers, organic fertilizers, and agro-feed.
The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities expressed strong support for this collaborative endeavor, emphasising its alignment with the Ministry’s efforts to enhance the commercialisation of high-value products derived from palm biomass.
This initiative dovetails with the broader objectives of the Palm Biomass Database initiative under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), reflecting Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable development and green innovation in the biomass sector.
As Nextgreen Global Berhad and the Sawit Kinabalu Group embark on this transformative journey to establish a cutting-edge biomass hub in Sabah, the stage is set for a new chapter in sustainable biomass utilization and environmental stewardship in Malaysia.
This collaborative effort underscores the power of partnership and innovation in driving positive change for both the industry and the environment.
