The International Biomass Conference Malaysia 2017 (IBCM 2017), to be held from OCTOBER 19–20, will outline Malaysia’s evolution in the nation’s Waste to Wealth pursuit, based on biomass, that will include applications into multi stream product concepts of bio-refining, with a main focus on the country’s potential in the sector with massive developments in areas of digital agriculture and rural development that will be critical enablers for this new sustainable economic model.

“The IBCM this year will aim to spark a new level in innovative thinking with the introduction of key topics that are strategic to the creation of a robust and sustainable biomass economy. One of the most exciting ideas to be presented is the development of new models like the Circular Economy and the impact of digitisation in accelerating Malaysia’s biomass economy agenda. This is where we take up the challenge to move away from our current linear economy that is based on a ‘take, make and dispose’ production model,” said Naser Jaafar, CEO of Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM) the organiser for IBCM 2017 in collaboration with Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and State Planning Unit Sarawak (SPU).

He added that: “We have to rethink and re-innovate our mindset beyond the production and consumption of goods and services, including shifting away our economy – at least some major parts of it - from fossil fuel dependence to renewable energy use. Models like circular economy and digitisation coupled with the new to adapt to the Industry Revolution 4.0, will encourage efficient and optimised use of resources and avoid wastages such as energy leakages that will help Malaysia achieve long term economic and sustainability goals through robust design, maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishing, and recycling.”

Naser added that the conference at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, isheld in Sarawak as it is a keystone State for Malaysia’s bio-economy agenda with its abundance of biomass residues and resources, which forms the heartland of Malaysia’s burgeoning bio-economy together with Sabah under the Sabah and Sarawak Biomass Industry Development Plan (SBIDP). Sarawak alone could potentially generate an additional RM4.8 billion in Gross National Income, utilising around six million dry tonnes, representing a minor fraction of its biomass resources.

Themed “Biomass Industry Revolution 4.0: Innovation-led Bio-based Economy”, IBCM 2017 will bring together 33 speakers and panellists with subject matter expertise on biomass economies from across the world, who will present innovative and thought-provoking models on how to develop and realise Malaysia’s own National Biomass Strategy 2020 (NBS 2020) . The two-day conference shall be graced by Datuk Seri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and AIM Adviser, and Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry.

Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Datuk Azman Mahmud said, “Given that Malaysia has developed into one of the most exciting destination for biomass-based investments, this conference brings together key local and international players from the entire biomass value chain, from upstream to downstream, manufacturers to traders and the supporting ecosystem, to discuss the opportunities and challenges as well as to chart the way forward for this industry.”

”Renewable energy has increased in importance in the green policies of major countries such as Korea, Japan and China. This has led to strong interest from industry players to look at Malaysia for sources of raw materials. From 2011 to 2016, a total of 226 biomass projects with investments of RM2.92 billion were approved by MIDA. Being a country rich in natural resources, there are huge opportunities for biomass-based investments to grow and prosper in Malaysia,” added Azman.

“With the theme, ’Biomass Industry Revolution 4.0: Innovation-led Bio-based Economy’, MIDA encourages all stakeholders to leverage on this upcoming platform to be updated on the latest technology trends and insights, explore business opportunities and connect with key international and local players, towards embracing Industry 4.0 elements in your operations that will bring your biomass ventures to greater heights,” he said.

The conference will be officially opened by Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, the Chief Minister of Sarawak.  Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Chief Minister & Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land & Regional Development will have a special session with conference participants, moderated by Nancy.

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