From Waste to Resource: Trienekens and Shell collaborate to study potential of plastic waste chemical recycling
Trienekens Group Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Chin (second left) and Shell Malaysia’s Country Chair, Siti Sulaiman (second right) exchanging the MoU witnessed by Sarawak’s Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Yang Berhormat Dr. Hazland Abang Hipni (centre) with Trienekens Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, Elvin Wee (far left) and SSPL PCE Lead Asia, Ng Swee Kiat (far right).
Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and Shell Singapore Pte. Ltd. (SSPL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to potentially collaborate on chemical recycling of plastic waste. The MoU exchange ceremony, which was witnessed by Sarawak’s Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, YB Dr. Hazland Abang Hipni on 26 May 2023 at Trienekens’ Headquarters at Jalan Sungai Tapang, Kuching, marks a significant development in the region’s sustainability efforts as it charts the way forward towards establishing a circular economy through sound technology and innovation that provides sustainable plastic waste management solutions.
YB Dr Hazland congratulated both parties for partnering to develop sustainable solutions as such initiatives are aligned with the Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS2030) where its strategic trusts encompassed Environmental Sustainability.
“Collaborations within the expert industries are crucial and highly welcomed as they help to realise the Sarawak’s ambition and vision to transition our current linear economy into a circular economy,” said Dr. Hazland. “With forward thinking innovations and technology, we can progress towards improved management of resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase economic growth.”
According to Trienekens Group CEO Stephen Chin, as part of its on-going research and development initiatives, the company has been looking at chemical recycling as a potential recovery method to tackle plastic waste.
“Through this partnership with Shell, we are keen to discover the potential of chemical recycling, both technologically and economically,” said Chin. “It is a significant avenue that can potentially help spur the circularity of plastic waste and advance circular economy. The output can be a possible source of alternative energy and used as secondary raw materials that can add value to our current economy.”
Shell’s Vice President for Business Management Chan Win Sim added that aside from the feasibility study and potential collaboration, the assessment will include economic evaluation of options available for municipal solid waste.
“We hope that with feasible findings, we would be able to formulate recommendations to the Sarawak Government to support chemical recycling,” said Chan. “This collaboration is a great example of companies joining forces to address global challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
Chemical recycling of plastic waste is an advanced form of recycling that breaks down plastic waste into its basic chemical building blocks that are then converted to create new plastics, fuels or other chemical products.
The MoU exchange event was also attended by Siti Sulaiman, Country Chair of Shell Malaysia and Senior Vice President, Upstream Malaysia.
About Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd
Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd is the operator of the Integrated Waste Management System (IWMS), which integrates the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of both municipal and scheduled waste in Sarawak. The company also manages the Kuching Integrated Waste Management Park, an integrated facility for the treatment and disposal of both municipal and hazardous waste, which has multiple components comprising of a Level 4 Sanitary Landfill, a Secure Landfill, a Leachate Wastewater Treatment Plant, two Incineration Plants, a Waste Oil Distillation Plant and a full-service laboratory, among others.