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By Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 15: The algae cultivation industry in Sarawak has sparked a spillover effect along the supply chain, resulting in the growth of other industries such as resin and industrial storage tank manufacturing.
This expansion was highlighted by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who emphasised that the tank production is a distinct industry due to the demand created by algae cultivation.
“The tank plays a crucial role in the cultivation of algae. Without it, algae growth would not be possible. Therefore, the opportunity to produce tanks specifically designed for algae cultivation has arisen.
“Additionally, resin is derived from gas. Thus, various industries become involved in the algae cultivation supply chain, starting from gas production, resin manufacturing, tank production, algae cultivation, and ultimately, SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) production for the markets,” he told a press conference after touring the algae nursery site at Resintech in Demak Laut industrial park here today.
The cultivation site at Resintech currently encompasses one acre.
These heavy duty tanks are made from resin and used as storage in algae cultivation. These algae tanks will be produced locally in Sarawak at Kuching, Serian and Bintulu.
Algae is cultivated in the tanks and will be harvested when matured. Thereafter, it will extracted and undergo a pretreatment and purity process to produce the premium oil including SAF, diesel and gasoline for various industries use.
Furthermore, Abang Johari pointed out Sarawak is planning to expand algae cultivation to 1,000 acres in Bintulu with potential to yield up to 500,000 tonnes or 10,000 barrels of SAF per day.
“In the pipeline, we are going to establish 10,000-acre cultivation site in Bintulu, capable of producing up to 100,000 barrels of SAF per day, as well as other premium oils such as diesel and gasoline,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of selecting the right algae species and creating the ideal environment, Abang Johari noted, “There are 600 species of algae, and it is essential to utilise the appropriate species to produce SAF, along with providing the necessary environment, including the requirement of sea water and carbon dioxide as a fundamental components in the process.”
He added that the demand for SAF has risen in the aviation industry, primarily driven by the increasing emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Compliance with ESG standards necessitates blending jet fuel with SAF to reduce carbon emissions.
“Sarawak is lucky as we are blessed with the favourable environment and weather conditions. There is a promising future (of the industry) but there must be the technology as well,” he said.
Abang Johari also suggested that Resintech adopts robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to not only modernise but also improve and enhance the efficiency of its manufacturing processes in the long-term interest.
The event also witnessed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) exchange between Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC Energy) and Resintech Plastics (Sarawak) Sbd Bhd and flagging off of vehicle carrying 80 algae tanks to site in Bintulu.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Federal Deputy Minister of Economy Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib, SEDC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Hussain, SEDC general manager Datu Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir, SEDC Energy CEO Robert Hardin as well as Resintech Berhad chairman Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar, its managing director Dato Teh Kim Poh and executive director Dato Teh Leng Kang were among those present. — DayakDaily
