BINTULU: Sarawak has expressed keen interest in fostering strategic collaboration with Sakura Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd (Sakura) to explore innovative initiatives for sustainable development.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg noted the potential ventures into environmentally-friendly products, including bioethanol production from bamboo.
“I’ve just noticed that Sakura is studying the possibility of turning waste into new products.
“One is slag, it’s one of the components that can be used in construction, including roads. So perhaps we can come together to produce this slag from your waste,” he said during Sakura Ferroalloys’ 10th anniversary dinner in Bintulu on Tuesday night.
He applauded Sakura’s initiative in exploring bioethanol derived from bamboo, emphasising its renewability and relevance amid global energy transitions.
“Bamboo is renewable, and we can grow bamboo here. We don’t mind you working with Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), and we will allocate an area for you to plant bamboo not only for furniture but bioethanol,” he said.
Highlighting bamboo ethanol as a novel solution amidst energy transitions, Abang Johari also noted its potential as an alternative source for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
“If that is the case, the market is there, even though Neste at the moment is producing SAF from used cooking oil,” he added, emphasising Sarawak’s conducive environment for bamboo cultivation.
In addition to bamboo bioethanol, he also outlined ongoing efforts to explore algae-based SAF production, presenting a dual pathway towards enhancing domestic aviation fuel supply.
Abang Johari further lauded Sakura’s potential contributions to agricultural sustainability through liquid ammonia fertiliser production, aligning with Sarawak’s rice cultivation initiatives.
