Kota Kinabalu: POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd remains steadfast in its belief that biomass is the future of sustainable industries in Sabah. With a RM400 million investment by a local company, Legenda Biomass Sdn Bhd at POIC Lahad Datu, it is convinced that Sabah is poised to become a leader in biomass innovation.
“The biomass industry has always been an untapped goldmine, and we have remained firm in our belief that investing in it will bring both economic and environmental benefits.
The latest research only validates our commitment,” said Datuk Fredian Gan, CEO of POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd, which is also the developer of the POIC Lahad Datu industrial park and port.
Sabah, Malaysia’s second-largest oil palm-producing state, has over 1.55 million hectares of plantations generating five major biomass waste products: empty fruit bunches (EFB), fronds/trunks, mesocarp fibres, palm oil mill effluent (Pome), and palm kernel shells.
Despite producing millions of tons of biomass annually, utilisation remains fragmented due to supply chain constraints. Each hectare of oil palm trees can generate about 23.3 metric tons of EFB per year, underscoring the vast yet untapped potential of Sabah’s biomass industry.
Recent findings from Politeknik Ujungpandang in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, further support POIC Sabah’s stance. The study highlights the potential of EFB fibres in strengthening composite building materials, proving that biomass waste can be repurposed for high-value industrial applications.
The research found that EFB can improve the durability of materials, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional options like plywood, gypsum, asbestos, and PVC.
“We were told that Legenda’s focus is to produce refined carbon products which are in wide demand. We are sure the Sulawesi findings about EFB uses will inspire greater confidence in the sector’s growth,” Gan added.
In February, Legenda Biomass secured 19.5 acres at POIC Lahad Datu to develop biomass-based industries, aligning with the Sabah Biomass Policy approved by the State cabinet.
Gan sees this as a breakthrough that reinforces its long-held conviction that biomass is a key driver of industrial growth.
“The Sulawesi study is just one example of how biomass can be turned into valuable products. We have always known that Sabah has immense potential in this sector, and every new development only strengthens our confidence in the direction we are taking,” he said.
With its abundant resources and increasing investments, POIC Sabah remains resolute that Sabah is on the right track to leading Malaysia’s biomass revolution.