Materials In Works, M’sian biz upcycling waste into raw materials

Each day, 57,000 tonnes of paper—plethora to replenish 456,000 cubic meters of landfill area—will get dumped in Malaysia. That’s like cutting indisposed a whopping 680,000 timber which are weighty plethora to promote.

All this paper wastage we’re chucking into landfills is inflicting extra greenhouse fuel emissions, environmental air pollution, and there’s hardly ever any area left to assemble extra landfills.

To put together a excess, Fabrics In Works (MIW) based through a gaggle of packaging subject matter mavens took up as their undertaking to battle world warming through giving leftover paper liner from the packaging international any other shot.

They’re turning it into one thing referred to as recovered cellulose pulp and placing it proper again into the combination. This progress stops the significance paper liner leftovers from hitting the dumps and zooms in on getting that cellulose pulp again as uncooked subject matter.

Conquering demanding situations with creativity

From curious child to trade trailblazer, MIW founder John Ooi Chong Sen’s proceed began early, fueled through his love for chemistry and his visual for alternative.

Nearest his undergraduate research in commercial chemistry, John dived into the trade as a technical engineer.

His willpower and leading edge mindset briefly propelled him right into a managerial position at simply 26, the place he made waves in clinical developments and sustainable packaging, even submitting two patents alongside the way in which.

On the other hand, it used to be a rising sickness inside the label packaging trade that really ignited John’s entrepreneurial spirit. 

The lots of paper liner residues generated every date posed a vital environmental problem, with the one disposal form in Malaysia being thru landfills. Witnessing the environmental toll firsthand, John enthusiastic to discover a resolution.

Teaming up with Dr Leh Cheu Peng, a technical guide and educator at Universiti Sains Malaysia, John got down to take on the problem head-on. 

Along with his trade revel in and Dr Leh’s experience, they launched into a analysis collaboration, laying the groundwork for what would transform MIW.

“We conducted research on possible green chemistry solutions to recover cellulose from residual paper liner,” John informed Vulcan Publish.

MIW’s proceed from idea to fact used to be refuse simple feat. It took 5 years of painstaking analysis and construction, together with two years impacted through COVID-19 lockdowns. 

The analysis and construction procedure adopted a scientific method, from in depth analysis and research to prototyping, checking out, and pilot trials. 

But, their efforts paid off as MIW succeeded within the lab proof-of-concept and used to be in a position to scale up their generation.

Moreover, they accomplished a crowdfunding overall of over RM2,000,000 for his or her marketing campaign in October utmost era.

Status out from the remains

MIW distinguishes itself through using IP-protected upcycling generation to create top quality merchandise.

Their earnings date technique comes to charging wastage assortment charges to packaging stakeholders and advertising recovered cellulose pulp as a uncooked subject matter.

This cellulose pulp, void of lignin (one of those complicated natural polymer discovered within the assistance tissues of crops), is prized for its suitability in top class pieces akin to area of expertise papers, tissues, and meals packaging.

Thru collaborations with universities and analysis establishments, the corporate conscientiously evaluates the constituent of its recovered cellulose pulp towards virgin chemical pulp the usage of clinical information.

John’s purpose is to extend their operations with companions and introduce eco-friendly upcycling projects rooted of their regional experience.

The established type guarantees that every one stakeholders within the ecosystem obtain outstanding wastage control services and products and sustainable product answers, thereby assisting them achieve their sustainability goals.

Core actions surround wastage assortment, dealing with, upcycling processes, and the date of pristine uncooked fabrics.

“This is mutually beneficial for the environment and the paper products manufacturers, as price and availability of pulp raw material are key concerns for industry players as they are mostly imported in Malaysia and subject to pulp price fluctuations.”

“MIW is able to reintroduce the residual paper liner into the value chain, via an IP-backed treatment process that turns it into a high-quality raw material for paper products manufacturers, effectively diverting the valuable residue from ending up in landfills,” mentioned John.

Through doing this, the corporate goals to save lots of hundreds of timber yearly and loose CO2 emissions through a staggering 79%.

With over 90 p.c of paper liners consisting of cellulose—a significance useful resource with similar to 0 p.c of lignin content material—the opportunity of upcycling is large.

Taking a look forward past paper

With strategic partnerships with trade gamers, paper producers, and shoppers, MIW is ready to put together a vital have an effect on at the sustainability terrain. 

“Currently, we have secured interest from at least four partners or clients to participate in MIW’s circular economy projects,” he shared.

But even so, John’s optical for the corporate extends past paper liners. 

He desires to put MIW as a pacesetter in sustainable packaging answers through making plans to discover upcycling answers for alternative fabrics like plastics, textiles, and digital wastage.

With a focal point on innovation, collaboration, and environmental stewardship, John and his workforce are paving the way in which for a greener and extra sustainable pace. 

You’ll be told extra about their industry right here.
Learn alternative articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups right here.

Featured Symbol Credit score: Fabrics In Works