@Green July/August 2025 | Page 8

08 GREEN FINANCE @ green | July-August. 2025

08 GREEN FINANCE @ green | July-August. 2025

Green Investment: AT & S’ s
Kulim plant supports ecofriendly chip production with a green loan from Maybank.

Green boost for chips

� First sustainability-linked loan( SLL) by a Malaysian bank to a multinational in the semiconductor sector.
� The loan is tied to a 31 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2028.
� Financing supports an ecofriendly IC substrate plant in Kulim Hi-Tech Park.

MAYBANK has extended a RM635 million sustainability-linked loan( SLL) to Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Malaysia Sdn Bhd( AT & S), marking a significant move in advancing green finance within Malaysia’ s industrial landscape.

This facility is the first SLL issued by a Malaysian and Southeast Asian commercial bank to AT & S, and also the first such loan granted by a local lender to a multinational operating
in Malaysia’ s semiconductor sector.
The funding will support the development of AT & S’ s first highend integrated circuit( IC) substrate plant at Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah.
The facility will include advanced equipment and closed-loop recycling systems in accordance with AT & S’ s sustainable energy framework.
The IC substrates manufactured at the plant are crucial for the production of high-performance data processors, artificial intelligence( AI) systems, and data centres.
Under the terms of the SLL, AT & S has committed to cutting its annual greenhouse gas emissions by 31 per cent by March 31, 2028, using 2022 as the baseline year.
Maybank stated that it had mobilised RM125.46 billion in sustainable finance across ASEAN between 2021 and the first quarter of 2025, exceeding its original target of RM80 billion by 2025.
The bank views its support of the AT & S project as a strategic move to reinforce Malaysia’ s role in the global semiconductor value chain and to
strengthen further green financing efforts across Southeast Asia’ s growing semiconductor ecosystem.
AT & S’ s investment of over US $ 1 billion in Malaysia is attributed to rising demand from its global customers and its confidence in the country’ s semiconductor industry.
The investment also supports national development plans such as the National Semiconductor Strategy and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, which aim to position Malaysia as a leading global hub for advanced manufacturing.

CIMB sets RM300b green finance goal

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has announced an increased sustainable finance target of RM300 billion by 2030, strengthening its commitment to support clients in navigating climate risks and promoting an inclusive, low-carbon economy.
The group stated that sustainable finance remains a central pillar of its 2030 sustainability roadmap and is fully integrated into its Forward30 corporate strategy.
Since launching its sustainable finance roadmap in 2021, CIMB has progressively increased its ambitions, first tripling its 2021 – 2024
target from RM30 billion to RM100
adapt and succeed in a low-carbon
billion, and now setting a signifi-
economy through financial
cantly expanded long-term goal.
support and strategic
CIMB
Group’ s
Chief
collaboration.
Executive Officer and Executive
As part of its approach,
Director, Novan Amirudin,
CIMB plans to strengthen
explained that the new target
its sustainable finance
is underpinned by the
capabilities to help drive
bank’ s core purpose pose
regional and national
of advancing both
development agen-
customers and
das, including the
society.
ASEAN Power Grid,
He noted that t
the National Energy
the bank sees s
Transition Roadmap
itself
playing
( NETR), and the
a vital role in
Johor-Singapore
enabling clients to
Novan Amirudin
Special Economic Zone
( JS-SEZ).
The bank also intends to work closely with its clients to encourage responsible business practices while helping them manage potential cost increases from future carbon taxes and electricity tariff hikes.
This, it believes, will enhance long-term resilience and competitiveness in international markets.
CIMB emphasised that its sustainable finance ambition goes beyond simply providing capital. It aims to foster meaningful partnerships, deliver tangible value, and ensure the green transition remains both equitable and inclusive.