Kedah to become main exporter of melamine for Southeast Asia
23 Aug 2022
Kedah is set to become the main exporter of melamine for Southeast Asia by 2024 with the commissioning of Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd’s (PCG) first melamine production plant here.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the plant, the first of its kind in Malaysia, can produce 60,000 tonnes of melamine per annum, making PCG the sole melamine producer in the Southeast Asian region.
“I extend my gratitude to Petronas Chemical for setting up this melamine production plant, which will create jobs and support the state’s economic growth.
“I am told that the plant will create 100 jobs in production operations besides creating other jobs in the supporting supply chain,” he said at the project launch at the Petronas Chemicals Fertiliser Kedah Sdn Bhd (PCFK) complex, here today.
Present was PCG managing director and chief executive officer, Mohd Yusri Mohamed Yusof.
Melamine is a chemical product used for laminating, wood adhesives, moulding compounds, surface coatings, and paper and textile treating applications.
Sanusi said Malaysia currently imports melamine produced in China. He said PCG’s investment showed their confidence in the potential of the Gurun Industrial Area.
“We will be focusing on the development in Gurun as it has the potential to become the second largest industrial area in Kedah after Kulim.
“The Gurun Industrial Park was developed about the same time as the Kulim industrial area since 1996 but as we can see today, the Kulim Hi-Tech Park is developing rapidly.
“However, this area (Gurun) has the potential to be developed further as the second largest industrial area after Kulim,” he added.
Meanwhile, Yusri gave his assurance that the chemical plant’s operations were safe and will have minimal effects on the environment.
“We will ensure that this project and any other projects undertaken by the company comply with the health, safety and environmental regulations.
“We have acquired the necessary standards that have been set,” he said.
He added that the project would diversify PCG’s portfolio. By being the only melamine producer in the region, PCG would be able to meet the demand for melamine in domestic and regional markets.
Source: NST
