Premier urges OM Sarawak to embrace green technology for sustainable future
30 Oct 2024
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has urged OM Sarawak to continue exploring new products and processes that embrace green technology in their production.
Speaking at the OM Sarawak 10th anniversary gala dinner last night, he emphasised the importance of expanding their business for a sustainable future, given their status as the largest ferroalloy smelter in the region outside China.
“There must be a roadmap using ferroalloys manganese as a base to develop downstream products that will be sustainable and perhaps one day we can export your by-products overseas.
“Now people are talking about circular economy, and I understand that your ferroalloy production, there (is a) lot of waste from the process that could be further processed to produce other products.
“One such product is calcium silicon cored wire, a tough material that can be turned into screws for use in shipbuilding, steel-based products, and perhaps even airplanes,” he explained.
Abang Johari also highlighted the potential use of production waste for road construction in Sarawak.
“We are constructing many roads, including the Pan Borneo Highway and the coastal highway, and in the next 5 to 10 years, we will be building feeder roads to connect all longhouses and villages.
“We may need raw materials to harden the roads, and as gravel becomes scarcer, perhaps the waste can be used as part of the construction materials,” he said.
Abang Johari added that the supply and value chains for ferroalloy will be in place, allowing OM Sarawak to go downstream and be part of Sarawak’s circular economy.
He noted that he had launched the sustainable blueprint for Sarawak’s economy yesterday, which includes 10 thrusts, one of which focuses on manufacturing sustainability.
He congratulated OM Sarawak on their 10th anniversary and their contribution to the development of Sarawak.
“Ten years ago, you started in Bintulu after the completion of Samalaju Port and became a client to the port, exporting ferroalloys manganese from Sarawak, the largest outside China,” he said.
Abang Johari addressed two critical global issues: climate change and food security.
“To combat climate change, we need to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible. Any product that comes from green energy will have a better place in the market.
“OM Sarawak benefits from our green energy from hydro, which should give your products a premium price in the market,” he said.
He noted that OM Sarawak’s ferroalloys reduce the content of sulfur and oxide in steelmaking, making their products eco-friendly.
Also present at the event were Minister of Food Indsutry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Dato Majang Renggi, Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Develoment) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Sarawak Energy Berhad chairman Dato Ibrahim Baki, OM Holdings chairman and chief executive officer Low Ngee Tong, Resident of Bintulu Division Datu Nyurak Keti, OM Holdings board members Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Datuk Abdul Hamid Sh Mohamed, Tan Peng Chin and Tan Ming Li as well as OM Sarawak managing director Chen Xiao Dong.
Source: Borneo Post
