We must work with rich nations on biopolymer research

KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 17 (Business Times) -- MALAYSIA must collaborate with developed countries to advance its research on biopolymer production, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili.

Biopolymer, used to make everything from packaging and consumer goods, is more expensive to produce compared with crude oil-based polymers.

"Given time and coupled with low feedstock price and utility costs, production costs can be improved and it (biopolymer) can be as competitive," he said at the opening of the two-day Plastics Rubber Institute of Malaysia (PRIM) Golden Jubilee International Polymer Conference in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

The text of his speech was read by his deputy, Fadillah Yusof.

The price rise in petroleum has created opportunities for development of combined biological and chemical processes using lignocellulosic material as sources of bipolymer.

He said PRIM and local polymer industrial players must shift gears and step up activities to meet the demand for green technology industrial processing.

They should capitalise on biomass, which is the country's sustainable feedstock, instead of petroleum-based feedstock which is a feedstock of the past.Malaysia, he added, has empty fruit branches biomass as an abundant feedstock.

Although the Malaysian Palm Oil Board has undertaken some research and development on biopolymer to some degree, more research on biomass feedstock needs to be carried out, he said.