By DayakDaily Team
BINTULU, Aug 20: Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (SOPPOA) has proposed the establishment of a Sarawak Palm Oil Innovation Centre to translate research, technology and industry expertise into commercial opportunities, paving the way for the state to become a high-value palm oil bioeconomy.
According to a report by TVS, SOPPOA chairman Datu Joseph Blandoi said the centre could serve as a platform to bring together the government, universities, research institutions and industry players.
He said the centre would accelerate the development and commercialisation of research, while also testing new technologies, supporting start-ups, facilitating industry collaboration and nurturing researchers and entrepreneurs across the palm oil value chain.
“The focus is not merely on conducting research, but also placing strong emphasis on the commercialisation of research,” he said in his welcoming speech at the SOPPOA Sustainable Palm Oil Forum (SPOF) 2026 at Imperial Hotel Bintulu yesterday (Aug 19).
Joseph said Sarawak already possessed extensive expertise across its universities, government agencies, research institutions and private companies.
However, he said stronger coordination was needed to translate this knowledge and expertise into commercial opportunities.
“The proposed centre is also aligned with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, particularly in the areas of digitalisation, industrial transformation, environmental sustainability and inclusive rural development,” he added.
Meanwhile, SOPPOA has proposed that Sarawak be given a permanent representative on the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), citing the State’s growing oil palm plantation sector and its contribution to the national palm oil industry.
Joseph said the move would ensure Sarawak’s perspectives, needs and aspirations were consistently represented at the national level.
He also stressed that transformation in the palm oil industry must benefit smallholders and rural communities, rather than large-scale companies alone.
He said smallholders needed better access to quality planting materials, agronomic knowledge, mechanisation, affordable digital technologies, market access and certification support.
“When productivity increases, their incomes must also increase. When new downstream industries are developed, job opportunities must expand and when new technologies are introduced, rural communities must not be left behind,” he said.
Joseph said Sarawak should move beyond being a commodity producer and position itself as a leader in a palm oil-based bioeconomy.
He said Sarawak could leverage its renewable energy resources, port infrastructure, industry expertise and support for science, technology and innovation to achieve this.
Palm oil waste, he added, should also be viewed as a valuable resource rather than simply waste.
This includes empty fruit bunches, fronds, trunks, fibres and palm oil mill effluent, which could be processed into renewable energy, biomethane, biochar, organic fertiliser, biomaterials and other high-value products.
“Something that was once considered waste can become a source of new wealth. This is the circular economy in practice and an area that Sarawak needs to give a strong position to,” he said.
He said the future of the industry should not depend solely on expanding planted areas or exporting crude palm oil.
Instead, it should be driven by higher productivity, innovation and downstream development in areas such as oleochemicals, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, specialty food ingredients, biomaterials and green chemicals.
SPOF 2026, themed “Leading Sustainability: Compliance, Risk and Opportunities”, is being held over two days and brings together industry players, government agencies, research institutions, academics, financial institutions and technology providers to discuss the future direction of sustainability in the palm oil sector. — DayakDaily
