Sime Darby Industrial Sdn Bhd’s 50:50 joint venture company with the Netherlands-based Royal Terberg Group BV, Terberg Tractors Malaysia Sdn Bhd (TTM) has launched Malaysia’s first fully battery-powered electric terminal tractor, Model YT200EV.

The electric terminal tractor was originally designed for container handling in seaports; however, it can also be used in many industrial applications that involve moving heavy loads.

In a statement on Tuesday, TTM said the YT200EV terminal tractor, which is manufactured locally at TTM’s manufacturing and assembly facility in Pasir Gudang, Johor, will be made available for distribution by early December 2022.

TTM chief executive officer Boo Wei Ching said TTM is confident that this new addition to the industry will be a huge step to complement the region’s green aspirations through the incorporation of sustainable practices.

“As an industry leader, we at Terberg feel that it is our responsibility to actively take part in a solution towards combatting climate change.

“In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the YT200EV terminal tractor will also be able to significantly cut operating costs involving diesel and other fossil fuels used in conventional terminal tractors or trucks.

“We believe these benefits can be shared with more sectors, wider than ports and logistics, creating a larger impact from more environmentally-friendly practices across industries,” he said.

Boo said with the new terminal tractors, TTM is looking at doubling up its production capacity in Malaysia from 600 units of terminal tractors to meet the expected demand from its existing and new customers in new market segment in the next three years.

He said TTM has invested more than RM10 million to upgrade the current infrastructure which will enable to the increased output to cope with anticipated demand.

Source: The Edge Markets

Sime Darby Industrial’s JV launches fully battery-powered electric terminal tractor

SENAI Airport City will soon be home to a bus body manufacturing and assembly facility. Bus manufacturing company, Sun Bus Tech Sdn Bhd, has planned to invest RM80 million to build the facility in Johor. 

Sun Bus Tech, owned by the Sun Wah Group, has officially established its headquarters in Johor in a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov 23. 

The project is aimed to provide high technology, quality economical services and products in the public transportation industry in stepping up its efforts to manufacture sustainable and fuel-efficient vehicles. 

The factory is expected to be able to produce nearly 300 units of electric buses (EV) every year for the domestic and regional markets, said Johor State Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Lee Ting Han. 

He said the factory is expected to start its construction this month, is projected to be completed as early as the third quarter of next year or at the latest in 2024, creating more than 200 job opportunities, ranging from manufacturing front liners to managerial positions, in the state. 

“This company is from Johor and has more or less the same factory, but this time they made a change which is to manufacture the chassis of electric buses. The battery and engine are still imported, so the company will produce the chassis, and then attached other components to the chassis to be sold as a working bus. 

“The state government will continue to help ensure that this project expands because its products will be exported to Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. 

“Hence, we are proud that Malaysian brand products are also used in other countries,” he said, as reported by Bernama. 

In welcoming Sun Bus Tech to be part of Malaysia’s development in the automotive industry, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) CEO Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman said: “The investment by Sun Bus Tech is the kind of investment that Malaysia aims to attract and anchor. 

“Malaysia is a strategic and ideal sustainable investment destination for investors of EV-related industries to enter the South-East Asia market,” he said in a statement. 

Besides the Malaysian government’s EV policies, he said the continuation of new model launches of EVs will contribute to the EV market growth in the country, in line with the government’s strategic policy such as the National Investment Aspirations (NIA). 

In line with the company’s vision of building sustainable and environmentally friendly products, Sun Bus Tech will be setting up automation features in both its production and warehouse. The office and factory buildings will be installing solar panels, solar reflective glass to reduce energy consumption and adopting rainwater recycling in effort to protect the environment. 

Focusing on bus body manufacturing, Sun Bus Tech is the new name that was carried out by the industry pioneer Sun Bus Tech founder/chairman Phang Sun Wah, who has more than 50 years of experience. 

Sun Bus Tech has collaborated with a Swiss partner, Carrosserie Hess AG, an aluminium bus body solution provider and supplier. Through this joint venture, its main objective is to enhance the manufacturing processes even further by adopting the technology from Europe which will be more durable and easier to maintain. 

“We strive to provide the best quality, through proper product concept research, product planning, development, testing and its aftersales maintenance services,” said Sun Bus Tech CEO Shyan Phang. 

Malaysia is the third-largest automotive market in Asean, making the automotive industry a strategic perk to the country’s manufacturing sector. 

There are currently more than 30 manufacturing and assembly plants in Malaysia for motor vehicles which consist of passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles and scooters; as well as a huge pool of automotive parts and components manufacturers. 

Source: The Malaysian Reserve

Senai Airport City gets bus body manufacturing, assembly plant

Automated manufacturing solutions provider ECA Integrated Solution Bhd made a strong debut on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia yesterday, marking a significant milestone in the company’s corporate history.

Executive director and chief operating officer Chua Lye Hock said the listing reflects investors’ confidence in the company’s business and future prospects.

“In return, we will work hard to elevate our group to the next level of growth.

“We will expand our output and enhance our capability, as well as offer smart factory solutions,” he said in a statement.

Chua said offering smart factory solutions was a natural progression for the company, as it has already provided smart manufacturing solutions since October 2020.

“The former involves greater methodological planning and design and development efforts to integrate and automate the manufacturing and non-manufacturing processes of our customers’ manufacturing facility using the Internet of Things technology.

“We have received inquiries on this from a key customer and are currently working on the conceptualisation and design of smart factory solutions for them,” he said.

At the opening bell yesterday, the Penang-based tech company saw an opening volume of 10.04 million shares changing hands.

Of the RM25.5 million raised from the initial public offering (IPO) exercise, RM7.7 million is allocated for the acquisition of machinery and RM14.0 million for working capital, while RM2.8 million and RM1.0 million have been earmarked to defray the estimated listing expenses and repayment of bank borrowings, respectively.

UOB Kay Hian Securities (M) Sdn Bhd is the principal adviser, sponsor, placement agent, and underwriter for the IPO exercise.

Source: NST

ECA Integrated makes strong debut on ACE market, to enhance smart factory solutions

The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department is optimistic that the newly-introduced National OGSE Sustainability Plans (NOSP) will provide value to oil and gas, services and equipment (OGSE) companies in identifying specific pathways for the industry to tackle energy transition.

EPU deputy director general (sectoral) Datuk Yatimah Sarjiman said the NOSP will also play its role as a guide to companies on the expectation regarding sustainability practices for the industry going forward.

“In view of the urgent need to embrace sustainable development, the EPU is pleased to be working on the OGSE sustainability initiative with Malaysia Petroleum Resources Resources (MPRC), with the completion of NOSP marking the first milestone in this journey,” she said at the National OSGE Sustainability Forum on May 15.

She hoped that OGSE companies will adapt to changes in systems, business models, economic assumptions, market rules and governance frameworks to ensure the OGSE industry is not left behind amid the energy transition.

The NOSP, introduced on May 15, put forward 11 recommendations to better guide companies towards embarking on the journey to sustainability to address challenges confronting the sector.

Looking ahead, she said the government’s plans for OGSE sustainability will be further outlined in the National OGSE Sustainability Roadmap to be developed in 2023 and the National OGSE Sustainability Framework in 2024.

“The way we are developing the OGSE sustainability agenda will also allow us to respond to the evolving oil and gas and energy industries to ensure we produce guidelines that are timely and relevant for the OGSE sector,” she said.

Yatimah noted that it is crucial for all stakeholders that they come to a mutual agreement on future goals, especially taking into account the kind of world they want to leave behind while meeting consumers’ expectations for reliable, affordable and sustainable products and services.

At the same event, MPRC president and CEO Mohd Yazid Ja’afar said NOSP resulted from a rigorous analysis of the sustainability landscape globally, regionally and in Malaysia.

“We then studied sustainability trends among Malaysia’s top 100 OGSE companies by revenue, from a list curated and analysed by MPRC every year, known as the OGSE100,” he said

He said MPRC engaged with OGSE ecosystem stakeholders including ministries and government agencies, Petronas, Shell, industry associations and OGSE companies to gain a deeper understanding of the issues and challenges faced by the sector as well as explore initial opportunities for the sector to comply with sustainability requirements.

“OGSE companies, made up mainly of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), find it challenging to adopt sustainability practices due to resource constraints and they will more often than not, have to prioritise their short-term survivability over the implementation of sustainability practices,” he pointed out.

Among the recommendations outlined in the NOSP were climate-related risk and potential pathway identification, OGSE-focused sustainability knowledge and training hub, subsidies for SME training, grants or soft loans for decarbonisation initiatives and simplified environmental, social and governance reporting standards for OGSE SMEs. 

Source: Bernama

Sustainability plans to help OGSE companies with energy transition

Leading German commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN Malaysia) and Gemilang International Ltd (GML), a Hong Kong-listed bus and bus body manufacturer based in Malaysia, showcased the MAN eBus chassis at a special preview for bus operators and government officials at GML’s headquarters in Senai, Johor.

Beginning in 2023, MAN Malaysia will offer zero-emission, all-electric bus chassis and conventional bus chassis powered by low-emission Euro V engines as the company continues to drive change towards sustainable mobility in the public transport sector of Malaysia.

MAN Malaysia managing director Andrew O’Brooks expressed confidence that the MAN eBus chassis, with its flexibility and proven performance, would be the perfect platform for Malaysian bus operators to transition to electromobility.

“We plan to assemble the MAN eBus chassis locally to make it very competitively priced for those keen to join us on the sustainability journey. 

“With the completely knocked down (CKD) programme, we aim to have our electric buses contribute at least 20 per cent of MAN Bus sales by 2026,” he said in a statement.

For the Malaysian market, the MAN eBus chassis will be available as a two-axle vehicle with a low floor (LF) suitable for urban public transport. 

It is powered by an electric motor with continuous power of 160 kW and maximum torque of 2100 Nm, mated to a single-speed gearbox.

With electric supply from either a modular 4-pack 320 kWh or 6-pack, 480 kWh battery with NMC (lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt) technology, the MAN eBus chassis has a range of up to 350 km on a single charge.

GML chairman and chief executive officer Pang Chong Yong said the company is excited about introducing the MAN eBus chassis in Malaysia.

“GML is one of the first companies in Southeast Asia to assemble electric buses, and we share a common goal with MAN in reducing carbon emissions.

“We are committed to developing the most durable, lightweight, environmentally-friendly, and cost-effective aluminum bus body for the MAN chassis using the latest technology.

“In addition to having a zero-emission chassis, a green bus body is essential to making an environmentally friendly vehicle.

“Together, we hope to lead Malaysia and the rest of the region towards a cleaner, quieter and safer future,” he said.

As a neutral bus body builder, GML has been a trusted original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for MAN for the past decade. 

The company has supplied more than 2,500 MAN buses to Malaysia and overseas markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Uzbekistan and Dubai.

MAN Malaysia will offer customer-specific 360° eMobility consulting services to companies planning to transition to electromobility. 

The exclusive service from MAN transport solutions covers all important factors for a successful transition, such as range and consumption analysis, network analysis, charging infrastructure concept, charging and energy concept, fleet transition and services and training.

Source: NST

MAN Malaysia showcases electric city bus chassis to drive sustainable mobility in Malaysian public transport sector

The proposed purchase will be paid with the issuance of new company ordinary shares

STEEL products manufacturer and trader Atta Global Group Bhd plans to acquire three sea-fronting parcels of land in Batu Maung, Penang, for RM28 million with an eye to scale up its property development segment.

In an exchange filing today, Atta said the proposed purchase will be paid with the issuance of new company ordinary shares.

Its wholly owned subsidiary Park Avenue Construction Sdn Bhd has entered into three separate conditional sale and purchase agreements with Limbo Ngan Batu Maung Sdn Bhd and Utopia Span Sdn Bhd for the three land parcels totalling 260,988 sq ft (24,247.57 sq m). 

The land is situated at the south-eastern portion of Penang Island, which abuts onto the sea (South Channel) in the locality of Batu Maung, providing Atta with the flexibility to undertake a mixed property development project in the future, if it decides to do so, according to the filing. 

To reduce over-relying on the manufacturing segment, the company said the proposed acquisition is part of its expansion plan to increase its landbank at strategic locations with growth potential, to scale up its property development segment portfolio, enhance the segment’s weightage among its existing operating business segment, and securing an additional revenue stream for the future. 

Atta is principally involved in the iron and steel industry in upstream and downstream sectors of the process of shearing, re-shearing, slitting of steel coil, slitted flat bars, steel roofing, wall cladding structural floor decking, manufacturing and marketing of perforated metal, cables support, systems and screen plate, steel furniture and the industrial recycling of scrap metal. 

Its other businesses include the letting of industrial and commercial assets, provision of management consultancy, property development, construction and property investment sector.

The land under consideration is situated about 18km southwest from Komtar in Georgetown, 10km to the south-east of the town centre of Bandar Bayan Baru, 1.8km to the south of Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah bridge (Second Penang bridge) and 8km east from the Penang International Airport. The immediate neighbourhood is mainly residential in nature with pockets of hilly lands and coastal lands. 

For the financial year ended June 30, 2002 (FY22), Atta posted a net profit of RM800,000 on RM119.78 million in turnover. In the last quarter of FY22, it posted a net loss of RMRM6.16 million, widening about three times from the RM1.9 million net loss in the same preceding quarter. 

The stock closed untraded at 26.5 sen, giving it a market capitalisation of RM66 million.

Source: The Malaysian Reserve

Atta Global to acquire 3 land parcels in Penang for RM28m

A study by Proton Holdings Bhd has revealed that new energy vehicle (NEV) penetration in Malaysia increased 3.4% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 13,753 units in January to August 2022, compared with the same period last year.

Proton deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said on Wednesday (Nov 9) that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Malaysia accounted for 1,026 units or 7% of the total NEV units.

He was a speaker at the Invest Malaysia 2022 Series 2: The Road to EV jointly organised by Bursa Malaysia and Macquarie Group held at Bursa’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

During his presentation, Roslan also indicated that hybrid energy vehicles (HEVs) accounted for 9,170 units or 67% of total NEV units.

“HEVs remain popular but BEVs are improving traction in the market,” he said.

Meanwhile, Roslan stated that the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) constituted the remaining 26% or 3,554 units of total NEV units.

Comparably, he said Thailand has had a total of 55,540 NEV units year-to-date, comprising 77% HEVs, 15% PHEVs and 8% BEVs.

Roslan said that Malaysia’s top BEVs are still premium electric vehicle (EV) models but Thailand’s BEVs are entry-level EV models.

Proton plans to launch and produce its own EV by 2027. Roslan said that Proton is looking to attract foreign vendors focusing on EVs to Malaysia to help Proton develop a national EV.

Source: The Edge Markets

New energy vehicle penetration in Malaysia up 3.4% y-o-y to 13,753 units, says Proton

Food and beverage company Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N) is allocating capital expenditure (capex) of RM700 million to RM800 million for the financial year ending Sept 30, 2023 (FY23), the bulk of which will be invested in its fresh milk business.

CEO Lim Yew Hoe said it expects to increase three to four times what it has invested this year (about RM190 million) in the upstream fresh milk business for downstream production and distribution.

“There will be some different taste profiles compared to milk from New Zealand, Australia, etc but in terms of quality, our milk is world-class. The move will also help us be less dependent on imported milk and promote the local agricultural industry.

“As for now, we have used over RM200 million and with the current exchange rate that is going up, capex of between RM700 million and RM800 million are our current estimates,” he told a press conference at F&N’s FY22 results briefing today.

The group has completed the acquisition of the 6,737-acre Ladang Permai Damai in Gemas, Negri Sembilan, worth RM215.59 million for its dairy farm project.

F&N competitors in the dairy farming sector include Farm Fresh Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, and FGV Holdings Bhd.

In addition, F&N completed the acquisition of confectionery and snack brand Cocoaland Holdings Bhd for RM489.2 million on Nov 4, 2022, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of the group.

Lim said the acquisition of Cocoaland will expand its halal food pillar with a wider product portfolio and a packaged food category worth US$1 billion (RM4.7 billion) in Malaysia and even more for exports.

“Why Cocoaland? What we learned from acquiring Sri Nona is that it is hard to export ketupat. So, we should acquire a product that is easier to export worldwide. There have been inquiries since the acquisition of the gummy company,” he explained.

F&N said it remains focused on exports, which serve as a natural hedge to cushion the foreign exchange impact. It will navigate the economic uncertainties going forward by taking steps to enhance resiliency through the forward purchase of key commodities as well as hedging strategies.

While some commodity prices have beun to stabilise, prices of tin plates/cans, milk and palm oil are expected to stay elevated into 2023. Rising inflation and the weakening of the ringgit and Thai baht in the face of the strong US dollar will further compound the cost pressure.

Group finance director Tiong Yean Yau said the group is trying to maintain its profit margin amid unforeseen market uncertainties.

“This year the group has increased prices a few times, so we are trying to maintain the prices while also managing the margin. Impact in terms of commodity prices was RM420 million, we can’t offset totally. Internally, what we have done is improve our efficiency,” he said.

For FY22, F&N’s net profit was flat at RM383.21 from RM395.16 million in the previous year while revenue increased 8.2% to RM4.47 billion from RM4.13 billion, driven by a revival in domestic demand and price adjustment strategy, as well as the growing contribution from food business.

Source: The Sun Daily

F&N plans RM700-800m capex for FY23, mostly for fresh milk business

Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) has grown to be the third largest oil and gas company in Malaysia after Petronas and Shell since its inauguration in 2017, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He told the august House in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today that Petros has three offshore producing production sharing contracts (PSCs) and four offshore exploration PSCs.

For onshore exploration and production, he said Petros has 100 per cent rights as accorded by the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958.

“The Petros Sarawak Gas Roadmap is indeed a game changer and will change the socio-economic landscape of Sarawak by 2030 via the creation of four gas hubs – Miri, Bintulu, Samalaju and Kuching.

“Through these hubs, it will serve the whole Sarawak similar to the ‘Hub & Spoke’ model – delivering a state-wide access to sufficient and affordable gas supply and clean energy,” he said.

Abang Johari said in the immediate term, Petros will deliver two projects as part of the Sarawak Gas Roadmap.

He named the projects as the Miri Hub – 400MW Power Plant to ensure northern Sarawak Energy Security; and the Samalaju Hub – where Petros will lay gas pipelines and together with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) to build a power plant.

“This is critical to complete Samalaju as a heavy industry zone and to ensure reliability of electricity supply to the heavy industries there,” he said.

According to him, these projects alone will require an investment of around RM6 billion.

He said over 10 years across the four hubs, the total projected investment was RM65 billion inclusive of downstream value-added industries, enabling access to gas beyond Miri and Bintulu to all parts of Sarawak.

“Petros and relevant state agencies are busy promoting such opportunities to downstream investors,” he added.

In light of the fast-changing world megatrend, Abang Johari said Sarawak has taken a bold step by embarking on digital economy as the key enabler to accelerate efficiency and productivity.

He believed that this will allow the state to diversify its economic activities and explore new economy.

“Innovation and technology will play an increasingly significant role to drive a sustainable economic growth towards a prosperous and progressive Sarawak,” he said.

He acknowledged that there were challenges in balancing between socio-economic development and environmental sustainability.

“Our lives and livelihoods are affected by climate change. For example, we have seen how the extreme weather events this year, such as large-scale floods and prolonged droughts in some countries have caused devastating damage to their economies and also all over the world,” he said.

Given this, Abang Johari said the GPS government gives due emphasis to developing a green economy.

“We started early with our development on renewable energy such as hydropower, of which we will ensure we maintain our energy generation mix of 60 per cent from renewable energy,” he added.

Source: The Borneo Post

Abg Johari: Petros is third largest O&G company in M’sia

Sarawak’s microalgae production facility is expected to be launched by February next year, said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the five-hectare algae production facility will mark the state government’s commitment to achieve greener and cleaner coal power generation.

“I am proud of the collaboration and progress of the industrial scale microalgae production facility. This facility will absorb CO2 (carbon dioxide) waste stream from the Sejingkat Coal Power Station to grow algae in a carbon circular economy.

“This project is a collaboration among Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, SEB (Sarawak Energy), Chitose Laboratory and ENEOS (Corp).

“Simultaneously, it creates downstream opportunities across various sectors through reduction of CO2 emissions via carbon capture and utilisation,” he said when delivering his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.

Abang Johari, who is also the Minister for Finance and New Economy; Natural Resources and Urban Development; and Energy and Environmental Sustainability, said it was necessary for the state government to step up its effort in developing renewable energy to ensure the state will be at the forefront in mitigating climate change.

“In 2019, I launched a 1,000 square metre algae facility at the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre for research and to test the growing of algae outdoors.

“Research in producing algae-based renewable biofuel is part of Sarawak’s efforts to develop its Sustainable Green Agenda, particularly green energy.

“Advancements in research and modern technologies are now able to rapidly grow algae and extract its oil to be converted into biofuels for energy, while taking advantage of the other components in algae such as proteins, carbohydrates, and nutrients.

“This, I think, is an important step as we aim to use various technologies to produce algae biomass on a large scale. When algae are grown, carbon is absorbed, and therefore it can be used as carbon capture and storage technology.

“Algae cultivation or farming for biofuels will be mainly carried out by the SEDC (Sarawak Economic Development Corporation) Energy, together with Petronas Research Sdn Bhd,” he said.

He also said that Sarawak will explore more of its natural resources to identify how the resources can be monetised responsibly and sustainably.

He said this would enable the state to know how it can diversify its sources of revenue stream and at the same time offer natural-based solutions for current and future consumption.

“All these new economic initiatives are to diversify our economic base for the creation of more investment, new businesses and job opportunities for our people to increase their income and livelihood.

“As a recognition for our initiatives, I have been invited to share our initiatives in many renowned international platforms this year such as World Hydrogen Summit, Rotterdam, Japan Time to Act Forum and Singapore International Energy Week,” he said.

Source: The Borneo Post

Sarawak to launch microalgae production facility in Feb 2023

Malaysia is now one of the world’s top offshore manufacturing hubs for medical devices, with over 290 manufacturing companies operating in the nation’s thriving medical device industry.

The Association of Malaysian Medical Industries (AMMI) chairman Andy Lee Kuan Min said that ten out of 30 global medical technology (MedTech) companies have set up manufacturing facilities in Malaysia.

“From a producer of latex gloves and catheters, the local industry is today recognised as a reliable manufacturer and supplier of a broad range of higher-value medical devices made from electronics, plastic, silicone, and metal alloys.

“Some of the high-value medical devices manufactured in Malaysia are hearing implants, orthopaedic products, pacemakers, heart valves, and advanced medical systems,” he told the reporters at the Malaysia MedTech Industry Summit 2022 today.

Elaborating further, Lee said the success of Malaysia’s medical device industry is largely attributable to a winning combination of proven manufacturing history, multilingual talent, ease of doing business, and well-connected local supply chains along with supportive institutional and policy frameworks.

Earlier, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow in his keynote address said Penang remains a highly attractive location as it has the availability of infrastructure and ecosystem that matches the needs of the MedTech sector.

Penang is often lauded as a vibrant hub and is poised to be on par with Puerto Rico, Ireland, and Costa Rica which are frequently acknowledged as the top offshore manufacturing hubs for medical devices in the world, he said.

“Penang’s strong supporting and ancillary industries have generated tremendous scale for the MedTech industry.

“The state government will focus on ensuring sustained growth in the MedTech industry, especially on talent and infrastructure availability,” he added.

The Malaysia MedTech Industry Summit 2022 held today was organised by AMMI in conjunction with Penang’s 50 anniversary of industrialisation, with support from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Invest Penang, and Penang Development Corporation.

Source: Bernama

AMMI: Malaysia among world’s top offshore manufacturing hubs for medical devices

EVE Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd is set to build a cylindrical battery production base in Malaysia to support electric two-wheelers and power tools manufacturing enterprises in the country and across South-east Asia.

The subsidiary of EVE Energy Co Ltd (EVE), a China-based lithium battery production company, said the company’s significant milestone with a projected investment amounted to US$422.3 million (US$1=RM4.404), will enhance its comprehensive competitiveness in the electric two-wheeled vehicle and power tool market globally.

The company said the project will be developed in phases with a construction period of no more than three years, it said in a statement.

EVE Energy Malaysia representative director Joe Chan said the expansion is an important milestone for EVE to enhance its global market share in the electric two-wheeled vehicle and power tool batteries market.

He said the establishment of the cylindrical battery production base in Malaysia will help to supply high-quality batteries to companies in the country and Southeast Asia.

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman said the transition to electric vehicles (EV) will be one of the most significant shifts in Malaysia’s automotive sector in generations.

“The full-fledged cylindrical lithium battery ecosystem resonates well with the National Investment Aspirations (NIA) and National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020 in stimulating and synergising the country’s EV ecosystem specifically for EV battery production.

“Equipped with highly-skilled talents and proficient technology experts, Malaysia is certainly a conducive and an ideal location for the success of EVE’s investment,” he said.

MIDA has approved 25 projects totalling RM10.69 billion in the EV and its related ecosystems from 2020 to June 2022.

The approved investments include the activity of EV assembly, manufacturing of EV parts and components and its charging components, said Arham.

Currently, EVE is evaluating several sites to set up its manufacturing facility in Malaysia, including a few potential locations in Perak.

InvestPerak CEO Izran Abdullah said Perak has a huge potential to become a new focus investment destination as the state is equipped with good infrastructure, abundant natural resources, sufficient high-skill talents, matured industrial ecosystem, and a competitive cost of doing business.

“Strategically located between Penang and Selangor, the two economic powerhouses in Malaysia, Perak gains the advantages from the economic spillover from both states and is always ready to support industrial expansion and supply chain,” he said.

Source: Bernama

EVE Energy set to build cylindrical battery production base in Malaysia

A Sabah-owned corporation has inked a memorandum of understanding with a steel manufacturer that promotes sustainability on Wednesday (Nov 30).

The Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (SOGDC) has established a land-lease agreement with Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd for the Green Steel Project which is expected to have a total investment value of US$4.39bil (RM19.65bil).

According to a statement by SOGDC, the deal reflects the importance of reducing the steel industry’s carbon footprint on the environment.

It said Esteel Sabah initiated the project to develop a full green industry supply chain covering iron ore concentration to high-end steel processing.

The proposed plant uses natural gas as a reducing agent instead of coke and coal, which is said to reduce carbon emission by 70%.

The statement said that in future, operations will gradually transform to green hydrogen smelting with near-zero carbon emissions.

(The steel industry is the world’s largest carbon emitter, accounting for about 8% of the world’s total emissions, according to global management consultancy McKinsey and Company.)

The statement said Esteel Sabah will build an integrated green steel plant on 180ha (446 acres) of land for Phase One of the project inside the Sabah Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip), an industrial area for downstream oil and gas operations in the district of Sipitang.

The Green Steel Project will be implemented in three phases, it added.

Phase One will commence in the fourth quarter of next year and is expected to be ready by the fourth quarter of 2025.

All three phases are expected to create between 10,000 and 15,000 jobs during the construction phase while Phase One will provide 1,752 operations jobs, the statement added.

Phases Two and Three are projected to create 5,455 job opportunities when they become operational.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor while SOGDC was represented by its chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan and managing director/chief executive officer Datuk Harun Ismail.

Esteel Sabah was represented by its managing director Xu Yihang and director Eng Shao Wei.

Source: The Star

Green Steel Project in Sabah to draw close to RM20bil in total investment