By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 27: Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad and Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) have entered into a joint venture to establish a solar module fabricated aluminium frame facility in Samalaju, Bintulu, with a production target of 80,000 tonnes.
The project is estimated to require an investment of RM600 million, structured with an 80 per cent stake by Press Metal Aluminium and 20 per cent by BDA.
An initial 20 per cent capital injection will be made upfront, while the remaining funding will be secured through term loans.
Speaking at the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg commended Press Metal’s innovation in manufacturing aluminium frames for solar panels, underscoring the material’s versatility.
“Solar is not only for solar panels—floating or otherwise—it can also be used as a building material, depending on the quality of both the solar panel and its frame.
“In the context of the Green Building Index (GBI), if you construct a building using a modern approach like Building Information Modelling (BIM), you have a 3D measurement that allows architects to position elements effectively to save energy.
“Additionally, solar panels can be installed on the roof, on the wall, or even used as decorative panels. What is important is the frame,” he said.
Abang Johari who is also BDA chairman, further highlighted aluminium’s sustainability, stating that once a panel reaches the end of its lifecycle, it can be melted down and reshaped into new products.
“If you want to manufacture certain parts of an aircraft, you just create that mould. This can be done through 3D design, and once you have the shape, you put aluminium there, and it becomes another aluminium product.
“In other words, aluminium is not restricted to just frames. What is important is the extrusion of aluminium to build new products,” he added.
Comparing aluminium to alternative materials like gas-based products, the Premier acknowledged the challenges of corrosion and longevity, but reaffirmed aluminium’s cost-effectiveness due to its lower melting point and energy efficiency. – DayakDaily
