The timber industry has played a significant role in the global economy for centuries, with wood products being among the world’s top exports.
Malaysia is one of the countries that heavily relies on the timber industry, providing employment to a significant number of people and contributing substantially to the country’s GDP.
With the increasing global emphasis on sustainability, there is a growing need for the industry to shift towards more responsible and sustainable practices.
Ecopeneer Sdn Bhd, a pioneering sustainable wood product manufacturer, is committed to leading the charge towards more sustainable practices in the industry.
Since its establishment on April 14, 2021, the company has been dedicated to processing sustainable wood raw materials into high-quality, value-added products that meet the needs of construction, industrial, and distribution customers.
Ecopeneer’s dedication to sustainability is reflected in every aspect of its products and operations, from veneer to plywood, and from sawn timber to thermal-modified wood.
“We aspire to be recognised not just as a wood processing company but as a sustainable manufacturer that prioritises reducing our carbon footprint through innovative processes. Our factory exclusively processes plantation wood and is committed to not using wood from native forests,” said E.L. Law, chief executive officer of Ecopeneer.
Ecopeneer’s commitment to responsible manufacturing is exemplified by its pursuit of certification from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). These esteemed certifications attest to the company’s sourcing of wood from sustainably managed plantations, including its exclusive use of Revotropix Paulownia wood supplied by sister company Green Afforestation International Network Sdn Bhd (Gain Green). It also uses rubber wood as an alternative supply.
The manufacturing facilities cover 370,000 square feet and are equipped with the latest machinery and technology to produce a range of plywood and wood-based products. With a monthly production capacity of 1,500m3 plywood, Ecopeneer caters to the wood needs of customers in the United States, Japan, Korea, and Malaysia.
The company is expanding its capacity to meet the increasing demand for quality plywood and veneer. In keeping with global trends and international standards, Law shared that Ecopeneer was actively exploring the possibility of obtaining ISO compliance for its factory.
Ecopeneer actively seeks ways to promote the circular economy by managing its waste and reducing its carbon footprint as part of its sustainability efforts. It aims to transform waste into wealth.
One of its initiatives towards this goal is the conversion of small-diameter wood into valuable products, such as construction materials and furniture. This allows Ecopeneer and its customers to lock carbon in these items for many years, effectively contributing to carbon sequestration efforts.
“We are moving towards green and striving to adopt zero carbon initiatives. One of our new ideas is related to our small log products. Typically, when we cut our wood, we only cut until a certain diameter, and the small diameter logs are usually used for chipping or burning, for example, as pellets for barbecues.
“But now, instead of burning it and releasing carbon, we have found a way to turn it into construction or furniture materials, which sequesters the carbon and creates a carbon sink. So, we are changing the waste that would have been burned and released as CO2 into a product that can benefit the environment. We are not releasing carbon back into the atmosphere by burning these small logs.
“We are continually striving to improve our carbon footprint and carefully monitoring the amount of energy we use compared to the amount of CO2 sequestered through our processes,” added Law.
He highlighted that Ecopeneer made use of all wood traces, such as off-cuts and sawdust, to create new products. In cases where the company needs to burn these wood traces, it will ensure that the heat is cycled back into its processes using boilers.
As a leader in processing Paulownia wood, Ecopeneer prioritises innovative research and development (R&D) to maximise the unique properties of Revotropix Paulownia. This allows the company to create new, high-quality products tailored to specific demands and applications, and set new benchmarks in standard processing methodology for wood. Ecopeneer’s R&D focus areas include developing Paulownia as a more versatile material for both structural and non-structural applications in construction, exploring binding materials, special glues, and the impregnation of special substances.
Ecopeneer also works with top universities and government agencies, such as the Faculty of Design and Architecture of Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), and Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) to enhance product quality and ensure customer satisfaction.
The company has collaborated with numerous overseas players from Vietnam, Finland, Singapore, Thailand, Germany, and Australia. It strives to continue improving its products and services by seeking new collaborations.
Ecopeneer welcomes those interested in exploring its products further to request samples from the company. It also welcomes enquiries from customer dealers and overseas players interested in purchasing its products directly.
For more information on Ecopeneer’s products and sustainable practices, interested parties can visit the company’s website at www.ecopeneer.com. – Green Xtra