Leaf Resources Ltd, the Australian company focused on making sustainable products from plant biomass, together with Leaf Development, its US-based joint development partner, achieved significant milestones related to the development in Malaysia of at least one commercial-scale, second-generation, bio-chemical production facility.
More specifically, Leaf signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM), a statutory body established under the Agensi Inovasi Malaysia Act 2010, under Prime Minister’s Department. The MOU is to establish a close cooperation and collaboration in order to align the interests of all stakeholders for the development, construction and operation of Bio-Manufacturing Facilities in Malaysia that are socially and environmentally sustainable and globally competitive.
It signed also a Letter of Facilitation and Collaboration with Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (MBDC), which functions under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation of the Government of Malaysia. The LFC specifies the objectives of MBDC and offers MBDC to act as project coordinator and to render, on a best efforts basis, facilitation, advisory, and business matching services related to the activities of our project.
Leaf Development, the joint development entity between Leaf and Claeris, the US company which is recognized as a world-class project developer of environmentally-responsible industrial facilities, will lead the development efforts in Malaysia in conjunction with both AIM and MBDC. Leaf Development has a mandate to develop up to five commercial-scale projects around the world and these milestone documents with the Malaysian agencies mark a significant advancement towards the development of bio-chemical production facilities that incorporate the Glycell process.
Ken Richards, Managing Director of Leaf Resources, commented: “Having just returned from a week in Malaysia, which included visits to potential sites and meetings with numerous government officials, I am impressed with Malaysia’s enthusiasm and commitment to create a high-value, bio-based industry. The proactive nature of all parties, government and private sector, demonstrate their commitment to make it happen. I believe that Malaysia, with its abundant biomass resources, its advantageous location within the ASEAN region, and the active commitment of both the Federal and State Governments, presents a unique combination of all the attributes necessary to be a successful site for a “platform” GlycellTM production facility. We look forward to actively pursuing this unique opportunity with the Malaysian government.
Richards continued: “The contribution of our development partner, Claeris, has been significant. Their local knowledge and contacts have been critical in moving this project forward at such a rapid rate and those skills will be extremely useful as our work in Malaysia progresses. Whilst there is still much work to be done, the potential benefits of a project in Malaysia are significant for all parties. This collaboration with the Malaysian agencies represents a big leap forward on the path to commercialising the Glycell technology.”
IL BIOECONOMISTA 