KUCHING, Nov 2: OCI Group (OCI) and Korea Kumho Petrochemical Group (Kumho Petrochemical) held a groundbreaking ceremony today for their new RM1.7 billion epichlorohydrin (ECH) manufacturing plant project in Samalaju Industrial Park.
The project is a joint venture investment by OCI and Kumho Petrochemical, according to Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
“I understand that once operational, the new facility will produce ECH through hydroelectric power with bio-glycerin and natural salts.
“ECH is an important raw material in the manufacture of epoxy, which is used in coating applications in all industrial fields such as shipbuilding, automobiles, information technology (IT), construction, and civil engineering.
“At the same time, OCI will expand its production of chlor-alkali,” Awang Tengah said when officiating at the event on behalf of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He went on to say that OCI has invested more than RM8 billion in Sarawak to produce solar grade polysilicon, creating jobs and business opportunities for locals.
Awang Tengah, who is also the Sarawak Minister for International Trade, Industry, and Investment (MINTRED) and the Sarawak Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, emphasised that the latest investment in Samalaju Industrial Park by OCI and Kumho Petrochemical demonstrates investors’ trust in the Sarawak Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government led by Abang Johari.
“The investment by OCI and Kumho Petrochemical, at a time of global geopolitics and economic uncertainties, is very much welcomed.
“These projects are in line with Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 that encourages more development in green and renewable industries so that Sarawak can contribute to the national aspiration of achieving a low-carbon, and eventually carbon-neutral society by 2050,” he remarked.
Among those present at the ceremony were MINTRED Sarawak deputy minister Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, MINTRED Sarawak advisor (SME) Datuk Mohamad Naroden Majais, MINTRED Sarawak acting permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron, OCI Group chairman Baik Woo Sug, and Korea Kumho Petrochemical Group chairman Park Chan Koo. — DayakDaily
