The Star Online (30/09/2019) - KUCHING: Sarawak is keen to set up an oleochemical industry for its expanding palm oil resources, says Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (pic) https://apicms.thestar.com.my/uploads/images/2019/09/30/300290.jpg

The Deputy Chief Minister said the state was inviting domestic and foreign investors to look into the matter.

"Oleochemicals have so many functions. It is high time for us to have a look because we have all these resources and our palm oil industry is growing.

"There are a few companies who are interested to set up, but it is at an early stage. But we are really hoping for this to be set up in Sarawak," he told reporters after opening the Sarawak Investment and Business Summit here on Monday (Sept 30).

Derived from natural fats and oils, oleochemicals are widely used in home and personal care products as well as in pharmaceutical and other industries.

In his speech earlier, Awang Tengah said Sarawak had planted 1.5 million hectares of oil palm.

"There is a need for oleochemical industries to be set up in the state," he said, adding that the state was going into value-added downstream activities as a more sustainable way of developing its natural resources, including oil, gas and timber.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/09/30/s039wak-keen-to-venture-into-oleochemicals#xTM3APq2zUKhBaEc.99