THE timber industry has played a significant role in the global economy for centuries , with wood products being among the world ’ s top exports . Malaysia is one of the countries that heavily relies on the industry , providing employment to a significant number of people and contributing substantially to the country ’ s GDP . With the increasing global emphasis on sustainability , there is a growing need for the industry to shift towards more responsible and sustainable practices . Ecopeneer Sdn Bhd , a pioneering sustainable wood product manufacturer , is committed to leading the charge towards more sustainable practices in the industry .
Since its establishment on April 14 , 2021 , the company has been dedicated to processing sustainable wood raw material into high-quality , value-added products that meet the needs of construction , industrial , and distribution customers . Ecopeneer ’ s dedication to sustainability is reflected in every aspect of its products and operations , from veneer to plywood , and from sawn timber to thermal-modified wood .
“ We aspire to be recognised not just as a wood processing company but as a sustainable manufacturer that prioritises reducing our carbon footprint through innovative processes . Our factory exclusively processes plantation wood and is committed to not using wood from native forests ,” said EL Law , Chief Executive Officer of Ecopeneer .
COMMITMENT AND CAPABILITY
Ecopeneer ’ s commitment to responsible manufacturing is exemplified by its pursuit of certification from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification ( PEFC ) and the Forest Stewardship Council ( FSC ). These esteemed certifications attest to the company ’ s sourcing of wood from sustainably managed plantations , including its exclusive use of Revotropix Paulownia wood supplied by sister company Green Afforestation International Network Sdn Bhd ( Gain Green ). It also uses rubber wood as an alternative supply .
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EL Law |
The manufacturing facilities cover 370,000 square feet and are equipped with the latest machinery and technology to produce a range of plywood and woodbased products .
With a monthly production capacity of 1500m3 plywood , Ecopeener caters for the wood needs of customers in the United States , Japan , Korea , and Malaysia . The company is expanding its capacity to meet the increasing demand for quality plywood and veneer .
In keeping with global trends and international standards , Law shared that Ecopeneer was actively exploring the possibility of obtaining ISO compliance for its factory .
PROMOTING CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Ecopeneer actively seeks ways to promote the circular economy by managing its waste and reducing its carbon footprint as part of its sustainability efforts . It aims to transform waste into wealth .
One of its initiatives towards this goal is the conversion of small-diameter wood into valuable products such as construction materials and furniture . This allows Ecopeneer and its customers to lock carbon in these items for many years , effectively contributing to carbon sequestration efforts .
“ We are moving towards green and striving to adopt zero carbon initiatives . One of our new ideas is related to our small log products . Typically , when we cut our wood , we only cut until a certain
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diameter , and the small diameter logs are usually used for chipping or burning , for example , as pellets for barbecues .
“ But now , instead of burning it and releasing carbon , we have found a way to turn it into construction or furniture materials , which sequesters the carbon and creates a carbon sink . So , we are changing the waste that would have been burned and released as CO2 into a product that can benefit the environment . We are not releasing carbon back into the atmosphere by burning these small logs .
“ We are continually striving to improve our carbon footprint and carefully monitor the amount of energy we use compared to the amount of CO2 sequestered through our processes ,” said Law .
He highlighted that Ecopeneer made use of all wood traces , such as off-cuts and sawdust , to create new products . In cases where the company needs to burn these wood traces , it will ensure that the heat is cycled back into its processes using boilers .
R & D AND COLLABORATIONS
As a leader in processing Paulownia wood , Ecopeneer prioritises innovative research and development ( R & D ) to maximise the unique properties of Revotropix Paulownia . This allows the company to create new , high-quality products tailored to specific demands & applications and set new benchmarks in standard processing methodology for wood .
Ecopeneer ’ s R & D focus areas include developing Paulownia as a more versatile
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Gemas Factory Exterior . |