15/09/2025

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MONDAY | SEPT 15, 2025 SCAN ME ADA Biotech outlines growth strategy

ADA Biotech is assessing large scale supplies of rice husk, wheat pollard and palm kernel residues for next-generation biocomposites. “This multi-source strategy reduces reliance on any single crop stream and builds resilience into our supply chain,” Akmal explained. The approach not only secures production stability but also supports Malaysia’s agricultural economy by creating new income streams for farmers, cooperatives and agribusi nesses. Plans are in place to replicate the model across Asean, positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for sustainable raw material sourcing and waste valorisation. ADA Biotech is also aligning its innovation roadmap with Malaysia’s sustainability agenda, actively contri buting to national dialogues on plastic reduction and biodegradable standards. “We have engaged with the Ministry of Health on food-contact safety, worked with the Penang Green Council and local councils to pilot plastic-free zones, and are in dis cussions with Mida and NCIA to establish biodegradable manu facturing as a pillar of Malaysia’s green industrial roadmap,” said Akmal. These efforts reflect the company’s commitment to supporting national policy directions while scaling viable, eco-friendly solutions. At the regional and international level, ADA Biotech participates in platforms that unite policymakers, corporates and innovators. Through Ecothon, ASEIC, HSF, Cesar and other forums, the com pany has shared insights on scaling circular economy models and streng thened collaborations with Asean and Korean stakeholders. “Our goal is to be recognised not just as a supplier, but as a strategic partner to governments, corporates and international organisations in achieving compliance, ESG out comes, and long-term environmental goals,” Akmal said. By positioning itself as a regional thought leader in plastic reduction and agricultural waste valorisation, ADA Biotech continues to build influence and credibility across Asia.

o Biodegradable products maker enhances production capacity, supply chain partnerships and operational resilience, among others

Driving down production costs without compromising quality is central to ADA Biotech’s growth strategy. Akmal said, “We are advancing R&D to refine fermentation and pro cessing methods while introducing automation that reduces energy and resource consumption. “Through our partnership with Universiti Malaysia Perlis, we de veloped enzymatic processing tech niques that improved fibre break down efficiency and cut raw material waste by nearly 10%. “Our collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia enabled testing of low-energy drying systems that lowered electricity use per batch, while our MoU with Leave a Nest Japan provided access to advanced bioprocessing expertise, helping us standardise quality and reduce overheads. “At the same time, we are leveraging economies of scale, where greater adoption enhances competi tiveness against traditional plastics. On the supply chain side, direct sourcing arrangements with millers in northern Malaysia have reduced logistics costs and stabilised input pricing. “By collaborating with universities, research partners and local suppliers, we not only lower costs but also strengthen Malaysia’s agricultural ecosystem by turning by-products into higher-value applications. This integrated approach positions ADA Biotech to scale sustainably and make plant-based alternatives truly com petitive with traditional plastics.” Beyond food and beverage, ADA Biotech is expanding into the pet care sector with ADA Tofu Cat Litter, made from upcycled soybean residue and rice straw. Akmal explained that this product not only addresses plastic-free living in households but also opens a new high growth category for ADA Biotech. With pet ownership on the rise across Southeast Asia, biodegradable cat litter presents a significant

Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Biodegradable products manufacturer ADA Biotech Sdn Bhd is strengthening production capacity through process opti misation and automation, enabling the company to scale up more efficiently and sustainably. “This is crucial as we continue serving established partners such as Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, Hard Rock and ZUS Coffee. Beyond Malaysia, ZUS Coffee’s 120 outlets in the Philippines and ADA Straw’s adoption in Indonesia, Singapore and Fiji already highlight the regional demand for sustainable solutions. “Our next leap is to establish a stronger presence in developed markets such as Australia, Canada, the US and the UK,” ADA Biotech CEO and co-founder Akmal Amir told SunBiz . To support this regional and global growth, ADA Biotech is actively pursuing strategic part nerships with leading chains and regional distributors, ensuring its biodegradable solutions are access ible not only across Asean but also in international markets. Akmal said, “Scaling up also means strengthening our operational resi lience, so we are investing in facilities designed to handle higher output while maintaining world-class quality standards that meet the rigorous expectations of both global hospitality brands and high-volume retail chains. “In terms of targets, we are expanding our production line to reach a capacity of 120 million straws annually by 2025, up from our current six million per month, with a new high-capacity factory line scheduled to be commissioned by first-quarter 2026. “We are also piloting projects with new partners in Australia and Canada by Q1 2026, which will serve as testbeds for scaling our exports into North America and Oceania.”

From left: Akmal, Cyberview Sdn Bhd CEO Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad and Cyberview technology hub Development Division head Shafinaz Salim.

demonstrated that impact-driven innovation can also be commercially viable. “Moving forward, we aim to engage more strategically with in vestors who share our sustainability vision, particularly those prioritising long-term ESG outcomes.” Moving on, Akmal stated that securing a reliable feedstock supply is crucial to ADA Biotech’s long-term growth, and the company is establishing lasting partnerships with farmers, millers and food producers to ensure consistent, high-quality inputs, such as tapioca and broken rice. “We are working closely with millers and cooperatives in the northern region, including members of the National Farmers’ Association network, as well as Padi Farmers’ Associations in Kedah, Perlis and Penang, alongside the Farmers’ Organisation Authority,” said Akmal. ADA Biotech also collaborates with the Muda Agricultural Develop ment Authority to repurpose rice straw into high-value biodegradable applications, turning agricultural residues into sustainable feedstock. Beyond starch-based crops, the company is diversifying into alter native agricultural waste streams through engagements with FGV Holdings Bhd.

opportunity to align sustainability with consumer lifestyle trends. “We are targeting phased rollouts beginning in Q2 2026, starting with ADA Cups, Cutlery and Bags, which are already in the final stages of pilot testing. Certification milestones, including ISO 22000, HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) and compostability testing under EN 13432 standards, are scheduled for completion by Q3 2026. “Early pilot customers include Universiti Sains Malaysia (the first university to adopt biodegradable products fully), Hilton and Hard Rock Hotels for cutlery and plates, and ZUS Coffee for cup lids and stirrers. “By Q4 2026, we aim to launch ADA Bottles, backed by pilot colla borations in Australia and Canada as we prepare to expand our global footprint. “At the same time, ADA Tofu Cat Litter is already in market introduction phase (launched in March 2025) and will continue scaling with retail and e commerce partners across Malaysia and Asean,” Akmal said. ADA Biotech bagged the Judges’ Favourite at Cyberview CLLA Cohort 20, providing strong validation of the company’s model and scalability. Akmal said the award has enhanced ADA Biotech’s visibility among potential investors and

Miti committed to building high-tech careers for youth: Tengku Zafrul KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) is intensifying efforts to drive systematic reindustrialisation in support of Malaysia’s goal of becoming a high income nation, said its minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He said policies such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) not only chart the course for reindustrialisation but also actively encourage industries to embrace high technology and digitalisation. “We want to ensure that a ‘Made in Malaysia’ stamp becomes a mark of quality and innovation. This, in turn, will create the high-value jobs of the future,” he said in his keynote address at the Youth Empowerment Fair, “Empowering Youth in the Digital Workforce” yesterday. Tengku Zafrul said Miti is committed to enabling youth careers to thrive in the new high-tech environment through three core pillars: industrial development, investment promotion and international trade. He noted that one of the NSS’s missions is to train 60,000 highly skilled engineers for the semicon ductor industry. “We want to establish Malaysia as a generative artificial intelligence (AI) hub by 2030. To position the country as a creator and innovator in the AI space, we aim to integrate this powerful technology across the entire economy,”Tengku Zafrul said. He added that clear career oppor tunities for young people are being co created by Miti and its agencies. For example, the Malaysia Auto motive Robotics and Internet of Things Institute is establishing dedicated digital hubs to develop expertise in data analytics, robotics and AI, particularly for the future of the automotive and mobility sectors. Meanwhile, the Engineering Talent for Semiconductor Industry pro gramme, jointly led by Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology and the Human Resource Development Corporation, provides structured internships and targeted training to produce the engineers needed by Malaysia’s high-tech, high value industries. “These initiatives ensure that industrial growth is supported by a robust talent pipeline. This is where Malaysian youths and graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics can take up high-value, high-paying roles in the industry,” he said. On international trade, Tengku Zafrul said Miti is working to create a dynamic and competitive trading environment to support youth careers by promoting exports to international markets and pushing industries to adopt the highest global standards and the latest technologies. – Bernama