Ground breaking ceremony for Verdezyne palm plant scheduled for end of July

ASTANA ( KAZAKHSTAN): United States-based biotechnology firm, Verdezyne Inc, is expected to undertake a ground breaking ceremony for its Verde Palm Plant in Nusajaya, Johor, on July 30, 2017, says Bioeconomy Development Corporation ( Bioeconomy Corp).

Bioindustrial senior vice-president Zainal Azman Abu Kassim said the first phase of the construction was expected to be completed within 18-24-months after the groundbreaking ceremony.

“The first phase of the project would create about 400 new jobs,” he told a press conference at the Astana Expo 2017 yesterday. Most of the products will be exported to the United States.

Sprawled over two hectares in Johor, the Verde Palm Plant can produce 10,000 metric tonnes of Dodecanedioic Acid ( Diacid), annually, by using local palm oil.

Diacid is a renewable bio-based chemical used in almost everything, ranging from automotive parts to toothbrush bristles to cosmetics and fragrances.

“It is much more environmental friendly and sustainable and, will be an alternative to typical petroleum- derived chemicals,” said Zainal, adding that it was the first- of-its-kind bio- based plant, showcasing Malaysia’s readiness towards becoming one of the leading bioeconomy nation.

“It is an important milestone for Malaysia, as a bioeconomy, to play a key role in fulfilling the country’s aspiration of becoming a high-income developed nation by 2020,” he added.

Verdezyne signed a memorandum of understanding with Sime Darby Bhd in 2014 for the latter to take up a 30 per cent stake, valued at US$ 30 million, in Verdezyne.

The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and the then US President Barack Obama during the latter’s visit to Malaysia.

Prior to that, the company was awarded the BioNexus status by the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (the then Bioeconomy Corp) in 2013 following the success of its pilot plant that was established in November 2011. — Bernama