MALAYSIA MOVES CLOSER TO GREEN BIOECONOMY WITH CCE-OASIS XTRACT PARTNERSHIP

PUTRAJAYA, April 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s push towards a sustainable, innovation-driven economy has taken a significant step forward today with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Central Corporate Engineering Sdn Bhd (CCE) and Oasis Xtract Sdn Bhd.

Witnessed by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Chang Lih Kang, the collaboration aims to establish a fully integrated, end-to-end algae ecosystem – from cultivation to value-added oil extraction – that could transform Malaysia’s green biotechnology landscape.

“This partnership marks more than just a formal agreement; it reflects a shared vision of sustainability, innovation, and progress for Malaysia,” he said in his speech at the signing ceremony.

Chang said the MoU aligns closely with the government’s MADANI Economy Framework and MOSTI’s National Biotechnology Policy 2.0, both of which emphasise innovation, green technology, and a circular bioeconomy as key drivers of sustainable economic resilience.

He highlighted CCE’s breakthrough in cultivating microalgae using heterotrophic conditions, which is a method that does not rely on sunlight, allowing for stable, weather-independent production.

CCE’s closed-tank system enables algae harvests every five days on a small land footprint, with all technology fully developed and owned locally.

“I had the opportunity to visit CCE’s facility in Semenyih last year and was genuinely impressed. Their pilot algae cultivation system is designed, developed, and managed entirely in-house. It is a testament to what local innovation and persistence can achieve,” he said.

Through the partnership, Oasis Xtract will further process CCE’s harvested algae into crude algae oil, which holds commercial potential across multiple sectors, including biofuel, biodiesel, sustainable aviation fuel, bioplastics, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

“Collaborations like these will contribute to our national agenda on circular bioeconomy, reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, and support the development of high-value green industries.

“More importantly, it strengthens our capacity to develop home-grown technologies that can compete on the global stage,” said Chang.

The initiative also supports the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and Malaysia’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

CCE is expected to begin construction of its 2.02-hectare commercial-scale closed-tank cultivation facility by June 2025.

“Let us also not forget – innovation must serve the people. It must create jobs, generate knowledge, and open up new opportunities.

“The success of this partnership could inspire a new wave of technopreneurs, researchers, and STEM talents to venture into areas that are not only commercially viable but also environmentally responsible,” said Chang.

The CCE-Oasis Xtract MoU sets a national benchmark for sustainable and commercially scalable green technologies, positioning Malaysia as a serious contender in the global bioeconomy.

-- BERNAMA