19/06/2025

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | JUNE 19, 2025

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Robust contributions from property division: Scientex

BNM and SC launch Climate Finance Innovation Lab PETALING JAYA: The Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3) yesterday released details of the Climate Finance Innovation Lab (CFIL), an initiative aimed to accelerate the development of innovative climate finance solutions. As deliberated by JC3 plenary members at the 14th JC3 meeting in January 2025, CFIL is a collaborative platform involving public, private and philanthropic partnerships to identify, co-develop and implement innovative climate financial solutions that strengthen Malaysia’s climate resilience. CFIL focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity. Building on past initiatives and pilot projects, CFIL marks a significant milestone in Malaysia’s sustainability journey. This further reinforces JC3’s commitment to driving impactful climate action through strategic partnerships and innovative financing. Administered by Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd, CFIL will adopt a modular approach for ongoing efficiency and effectiveness in the ideation and design of financial solutions. Eligible project owners will have access to funding, technical assistance and a wider network of stakeholders to implement their projects. BNM assistant governor and JC3 co chair Madelena Mohamed said, “There is an urgent need to scale up climate finance and nature-positive actions in Malaysia. Greater private sector involvement is crucial for accelerating our climate journey towards sustainable development. The CFIL partnership aims to strengthen public private-philanthropic climate finance through blended finance structures, innovative mechanisms and Islamic finance instruments. We call on all stakeholders to partner with us in this journey.” Securities Commission Malaysia executive director and JC3 co-chair Salmah Bee Mohd Mydin said, “We envision CFIL as an incubator for catalytic projects critical to achieving the national climate goals, but we face challenges securing financing via existing channels. With the support of JC3 and the financial industry, CFIL is positioned to connect project owners with diverse funders to scale up climate and nature-related solutions in Malaysia.”

2025 (9M’25), the group demonstrated continued resilience, achieving revenue of RM3.33 billion versus RM3.31 billion previously. Group net profit stood at RM376.4 million compared to RM409.4 million previously. The property division contributed RM1.45 billion in revenue during 9M’25, up from RM1.36 billion previously, supported by healthy sales across Northern, Central, and Southern regions. Notable projects include Scientex Pulai 3 in Johor, which saw strong uptake since launch, and the 550-acre Scientex Bandar Kulai township, which recorded encouraging demand. The group also completed the acquisition of a 528-acre land in Paya Rumput, Malacca, further strengthening its future development pipeline. Meanwhile, packaging revenue for 9M’25 stood at RM1.87 billion, compared to RM1.94 billion in the previous year’s corresponding period, due to softer export demand and strategic pricing measures to remain competitive.

The packaging division recorded revenue of RM614.8 million, a 6.4% decrease from RM656.9 million previously, attributed to softer export demand, unfavourable foreign exchange movements, and intense market competition. In response, the division continues to prioritise cost efficiency, operational enhancements, and product innovation. CEO Lim Peng Jin said: “Our twin-core business model remains a cornerstone of Scientex’s strength, enabling us to deliver long term value in a dynamic market environment. The property division continues to achieve steady growth, supported by sustained demand for quality affordable homes. The encouraging response to our launches reaffirms our strategy and commitment to expanding our landbank and providing greater access to affordable housing across Peninsular Malaysia.” Meanwhile, he said their packaging division remains integral to global supply chains. Amid challenging external conditions, he said, they are executing focused strategies to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen cost competitiveness, and drive innovation. “These efforts are essential to reinforcing our market position and securing future-ready, sustainable growth,” said Lim. For the nine-month period ended April 30, approximately 70 R&D laboratories worldwide. “This new centre marks a significant step in our journey to transform the way we innovate in Southeast Asia,” said Asean business unit director for decorative paints My Lan Nguyen. “It enables us to tap into local talent and insights, while connecting seamlessly with our global R&D network to deliver smarter, more sustainable solutions across the region.” By co-locating the R&D function with its business teams in Malaysia, AkzoNobel aims to improve internal collaboration, accelerate innovation cycles, and more effectively tailor product development to local market needs. “Our new R&D centre in Malaysia enables us to work more closely with our teams on the ground and industry partners to co-create solutions that resonate locally,” said South East & South Asia R&D director for decorative paints

SHAH ALAM: Global packaging manufacturer and property developer Scientex Bhd recorded revenue of RM1.11 billion and net profit of RM123.9 million for the third quarter ended April 30, 2025 (Q3’25), supported by robust contributions from its property division and a focused operational approach in its packaging business amid a competitive global landscape. Revenue for Q3’25 maintained stable compared to RM1.11 billion in the previous year’s corresponding quarter, while net profit was slightly lower versus RM130.5 million previously. The property division’s revenue rose 9.9% to RM495.8 million from RM451.1 million earlier, driven by higher progress billing from projects in the Central and Southern regions. Scientex also launched seven new projects across Northern, Central, and Southern Peninsular Malaysia during the quarter, contributing to higher property sales in Q3’25 and sustaining its growth momentum. o Company posts net profit of RM123.9m on RM1.1 billion revenue for third quarter PETALING JAYA: AkzoNobel, a Dutch multinational firm which creates paints and performance coatings for both industry and consumers worldwide, has launched its research and development (R&D) centre in Nilai – reinforcing its long-term commitment to innovation, sustainability, and growth in the Southeast Asian region. Specialising in advanced decorative paint technologies, the facility places emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable solutions. It will serve as the company’s regional innovation hub – bringing R&D closer to key markets and enabling faster, market-relevant development. Serving as the latest addition to AkzoNobel’s global network of specialised centres, this site complements existing hubs in Poland, Dubai, Felling and Slough in the UK, and the Netherlands. It will also benefit from integration with the company’s broader network of

“We are optimistic on the outlook for our property division, supported by stable demand and favourable government initiatives promoting affordable housing. Our continued expansion across strategic locations builds on our strong presence in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, and Johor,” said Lim. AkzoNobel opens Southeast Asia R&D hub in Nilai

Gary Jefferson. “It sharpens our ability to turn consumer insights into real, sustainable innovations – faster and more effectively than ever before,” he added. Equipped with advanced analytical tools and a fully automated robotic testing system, the centre enables high-throughput experimentation and data-driven formulation – driving the creation of high-performance, sustainable products. The R&D centre will accommodate 35 R&D professionals. Malaysia’s growing role in the company’s regional innovation strategy is reinforced through close collaboration with partners such as InvestKL. “AkzoNobel’s new R&D centre reinforces Malaysia’s position as a leading regional hub for innovation and sustainable development,” said InvestKL CEO Datuk Muhammad Azmi Zulkifli.

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