Facing the sustainability challenge in Kuantan

Chemical and process engineers from across Malaysia will gather in Kuantan later this month for a new event that takes a closer look at the sustainability challenge facing manufacturers in several key sectors.

Organised by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), the one day event, called the First Regional Sustainability Seminar, will examine the environmental, social and economic developments that are needed for Malaysia’s process industries to remain competitive.

Highlights include an assessment of strategies being deployed to improve the environmental performance of palm oil milling, converting chemical industry by products into valuable raw materials and greener routes to pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs. Contributors include PETRONAS, BASF, Nestle and a strong line up of academic speakers.

The international keynote address will be delivered by Professor Colin Webb from Manchester University, UK. Webb, who is the director of the Satake Centre for Grain Process Engineering, will talk about the importance of biotechnology and biological engineering in the transition to a low carbon economy.

Seminar chair, and leader of IChemE’s Sustainability Special Interest Group in Malaysia, Dato’ Ir Jeffrey Khor, believes that the meeting will bring engineers together to share knowledge and swap ideas about the tools and techniques that are needed to deliver more sustainable operations in the process industries.

Dato’ Khor says: “This is a goal worth pursuing, because solutions for sustainable growth will reduce poverty, foster economic development and protect the environment in Malaysia”.

Kuantan is situated at the heart of the East Coast’s Special Economic Zone, with is projected to attract RM 90 million of inward investment and create tens of thousands of new jobs by the end of the decade. Sustainable chemical engineering will be central to the long-term prospects of many industries that are becoming established in the zone.

“Biofuels, oil and gas, petrochemical, ceramics and stem cell manufacturing are enjoying rapid growth in the region”, continued Dato’ Khor.

“All of these activities depend of safe and sustainable chemical engineering. Chemical engineers are at the forefront of the effort to embed sustainable thinking in all aspects of research and development, design and in the delivery of manufacturing processes. Companies who take part in IChemE’s inaugural Regional Sustainability Seminar will be demonstrating a clear commitment to sustainable development in Malaysia”, he concluded.

The seminar, which takes place at the Swiss Garden Resort and Spa in Kuantan, commences at 09:00 on Monday 28 October 2013.