By Ling Hui and Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 10: Sarawak and Malaysia’s first industrial microalgae production facility, the Chitose Carbon Capture Sarawak (C4 Sarawak), which is believed to be one of the largest of its kind in the world, was officially launched at Sarawak Energy’s Sejingkat Power Plant today.
The plant marks a significant milestone for Sarawak’s technological advancement and its potential to revolutionise the economy.
During the launch, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg expressed his confidence that this breakthrough technology will set the stage for a new green industry to be integrated as one of the key economic drivers that will benefit Sarawakians, create new jobs opportunities and grow the economy in line with the global trend of sustainability.
This is given that the algae biomass generated by the facility holds immense potential for various high-quality applications encompassing billion dollars market economy, including for food and feed production, cosmetics, pharmaceutical ingredients, and notably, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
“This morning we witnessed an event that shows Sarawak can pioneer new technology to produce something that has not yet been developed by other countries.
“The algae are like plants, and they use sunlight, water, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and high temperatures like what is available here at the equator, to rapidly grow.
“Leveraging this natural process, the cutting-edge technology developed in Sarawak enables the capture of flue gas emissions from the power plant and utilises the carbon dioxide to optimise the cultivation of algae in specialised bioreactors,” he explained today.
The microalgae project, which began in 2020, is led by Japan’s Chitose Group (the primary contractor for the microalgae research project), Sarawak Energy, and SBC. The project is fully funded by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) and managed by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI).
With the facility spanning five hectares and possibly the largest algae production site globally to demonstrate the viable use of flue gas, Abang Johari stated that it will position Sarawak at the forefront of innovation in the field by repurposing carbon waste into valuable products.
“All the players are crucial in the success of this project – we need Japanese knowhow, the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre’s research talents, and Sarawak Energy’s flue gas from the Power Plant, without which, we cannot accelerate microalgae production.
“If this carbon capture and integrated microalgae production facility can prove to be successful, Sarawak will no doubt be the global reference for corporates and multinationals alike who are confronting their own green transformation,” he said.
Acknowledging the nascent nature of the emerging industry and its potential short-term costs, Abang Johari expressed his belief that the algae industry holds long-term viability.
“Sarawak’s sustainability achievement in this unique collaboration between the public and private sector will demonstrate to others what we are willing to do for this planet and for the betterment of ourselves.
“We welcome the local private sector and the multinationals from abroad to take this opportunity to develop similar partnerships and initiatives in circular economy-based projects in Sarawak,” he added.
Present at the launch were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak State Secretary cum SBC chairman Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Energy’s chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of Japan Karimata Atsushi, Chitose Group Founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Tomohiro Fujita, Sarawak Energy Group CEO Datu Sharbini Suhaili and SBC CEO Dr Yeo Tiong Chia. — DayakDaily
