Sarawak poised to meet rising global demands for biofuels, activated carbon, says STIDC GM

BINTULU (Nov 6): The global demand for solid biofuels and activated carbon, particularly from Asia-Pacific countries, is on the rise, according to Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) general manager Zainal Abidin Abdullah.

He highlighted that using biomass as fuel can significantly reduce emissions, creating financial and environmental benefits for various stakeholders.

He noted the huge potential of activated carbon derived from biomass, which has diverse applications in pollution control, medical applications, and energy storage solutions.

He also emphasised the importance of developing a strong framework for biomass research and fostering collaboration among government, industry, and academia to enhance Sarawak’s role in the renewable energy market.

He said collaborative research between STIDC and Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), showed that Sarawak’s biomass had excellent properties for producing energy pellets, which could be improved through advanced processing techniques.

He believed that Sarawak’s biomass industry is in a strong position to meet this demand.

Thus he encouraged everyone to take advantage of opportunities in the biomass sector to boost economic growth and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Zainal was speaking when officiating at the Industry Update on Biomass Utilisation for Value-Added Products programme here today.

“In 2023, Sarawak’s export value for wood pellets reached RM44.474 million, a 92.29 per cent increase from RM23.129 million in 2022.

“This upward trend continued into 2024, with export value reaching RM60.469 million in the third quarter, compared to RM35.817 million during the same period the previous year, marking a notable increase of 68.83 per cent,” he said.

He said this growth reflected strong market interest, particularly from countries like France, Japan, and Korea.

“The biomass industry supported a circular economy by ensuring optimal use of raw materials, where nothing went to waste.

“It aligned with global efforts to address climate change and promoted sustainability by reducing environmental impact,” he said.

Zainal also stressed on the sustainable production of charcoal from local biomass, which helped community development and contributed to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

In his address, he also highlighted Sarawak’s rich natural resources, particularly agricultural and wood residues, as sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.

The event offered participants valuable insights into trends in the biomass industry, the economic potential of renewable energy, and the importance of reducing reliance on fossil fuels

The event featured distinguished speakers from the FRIM, including Dr Mahanim Sarif @ Mohd Ali, Dr Rafidah Jalil, Dr Tumirah Khadiran, and Puad Elham, who shared their insights on the potential of Sarawak’s biomass resources.