By Thiviyah Manicam
Photo by Marina Ismail
BANGI, 21 November - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has formed collaborations with two industry groups to develop industries based on oil palm wastes and set up a database for Eucalyptus and its products, as well as for the production of nanoselulose from oil palm wastes.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UPM and The Malaysian Panel-Products Manufacturers' Association (MPMA) involves two research components which are the pre-commercialisation of the production of Marine Grade Equivalent (MGE) Plywood products from oil palm trunks (OPT) and rubber woods, and the development of a database for Eucalyptus in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the MoU and Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA) between UPM and Nextgreen Pulp and Paper Sdn. Bhd. (NGPP) are for the production of nanocellulose from oil palm wastes on a pre-commercial scale.
The MoU and NDA handover ceremony was witnessed by Minister of Plantation, Industries and Commodities, Datuk Seri Mah Siew Kong at the Wood and Biofibre International Conference (WOBIC 2017).
The MoU with MPMA will witness MPMA using expert services at UPM in the production of high-performance OPT plywood, covering studies on OPT logging, veneer treatment, MGE plywood production and testing, prototype product development and economic analysis of the process and development of products.
For the development of the Eucalyptus plant database, UPM and MPMA in collaboration with the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), will develop the database which provides information on the cultivation, breeding, quality characterisation, drying, machining and product development.
The MoU and NPA between UPM and NGPP will witness NGPP collaborating with UPM to produce nanocellulose through technology developed in UPM. It is a pioneer project in the production of nanocellulose from oil palm wastes at a pre-commercial scale.
Meanwhile, WOBIC 2017, officiated by Datuk Seri Mah was attended by about 200 participants from 10 countries including Japan, China and Malaysia. It brings together up-to-date research and innovation on products and technology of wood, biofibre and biomass.
