NanoMalaysia to generate RM1.4b from activation of 5 more graphene projects

By SHAZNI ONG / Pic By MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

THE National Graphene Action Plan (NGAP) 2020 has the potential to contribute over RM20 billion to the gross national income (GNI) and help create new 9,000 high-value jobs in Malaysia in the next few years.

Deputy Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (picture) said this is because graphene products could bring great opportunity for Malaysia to develop a high-value economic ecosystem within its industries.

“Large-scale research and development of graphene in the West and the flourishing aerospace, defence, energy and healthcare industries are geared to increase the products’ demand in the coming years.

“Without purposeful investment in graphene innovation and efforts to commercialise it, there is a risk that Malaysia would be left behind with possibly significant adverse impact on key sectors,” she said at the launch of Graphene Malaysia 2018 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

According to NGAP 2020, the top five promising downstream applications relevant to the country are lithium-ion batteries and ultracapacitors; rubber additives; nanofluids; conductive inks; and plastic additives.

“There is a race to unlock the full potential of graphene and nanotechnology… while Malaysia already has a head start, we must continue with our momentum.

“Malaysia must strive to become a high-end technology producing nation that could cater to the global market demands — such as nanosensors, nanosolar panels and lightweight graphene-based energy storage,” she said.

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming, who was also present at the event, said the global graphene market size was valued at US$23.7 million or RM98.2 million in 2015, and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 36% from 2016 to 2015.

“Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region over this period. The market in this region is expected to grow not only due to the growing electronic industries in countries such as China, Japan, India and South Korea, but also in the energy, automobile, aerospace and defence industries.

“According to market reports, the automotive end-user segment accounted for almost 20% of the global graphene market, and that it will likely grow with a CAGR of more than 34% between 2017 and 2024,” he said.

Identified among the top 10 emerging technologies by the World Economic Forum in 2016, graphene ranked fourth in the list of technologies that have the power to improve lives, transform industries and safeguard the planet.

Top of the list were nanosensors and the Internet of Nano Things.

Graphene is a semi-metal material, which can be utilised in developing industrial products for applications in the areas of rubber, including rubber glove, oil and gas, plastics, electronics, renewable energy, automotive component, as well as concrete admixture.

Meanwhile, NanoMalaysia Bhd expects to generate RM1.35 billion from the activation of five more projects related to the development of graphene products, bringing the graphene technology sector’s total future revenue for 2018 to RM2.7 billion.

“In March 2018, we have activated projects involving five companies with a future revenue of RM1.35 billion. We are now in the middle of launching five more projects with a pure potential income of RM1.35 billion,” CEO Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad told a media conference at the launch yesterday.

Rezal said for the whole of 2017, the graphene technology sector generated RM2.8 billion in revenue over the period of three years.

“We foresee that we are able to achieve the revenue targets set in the NGAP,” he said.