Potential biomass ethanol plant slated in Malaysia

A new collaboration between Malaysia-based Hock Lee Group (HLG) and global bio-tech business Beta Renewables may yield the first commercial-scale biomass ethanol plant in the region.

The agreement was announced by Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM) which claims the development is in line with the government’s vision for biomass owners to be involved in downstream activities rather than just simply selling their resources as a commodity.

If a new plant does become a reality, it could act as a catalyst for a biomass-based industry across sectors like biofuels, biochemicals and bioenergy.

‘Such a cluster is expected to increase the state’s GDP as well as create jobs by attracting high-value partnerships with local companies that will also benefit local SMEs, smallholders and local communities,’ AIM said in a statement.

Locations in Bintulu, where HLG is based, have already been described as ‘suitable’ for a facility to be built on.