Circular economy opportunities in Malaysia
With fast-developing cities and a population of more than 32 million, Malaysia faces both challenges and opportunities in its transition to a circular economy. The lack of implemented extended producer responsibility (EPR) and the public sector’s limited capabilities in waste management, makes the country miss out on potential value from recycling. Yet, Malaysia has a strong manufacturing base and keeps growing rapidly. Huge company-driven actions on plastic packaging stimulate the country to make room for new market opportunities from design to production, usage to the collection, sorting, recycling, and applying recyclate in new products. With the government’s ambition to reduce greenhouse emissions by 45% in 2030, opportunities for collaboration with The Netherlands as a niche leader in circular manufacturing, seem likely.
Thinking about doing business in Malaysia? Below you will find a summary of the information on policy landscape, circular economy strategy, and selected priority areas. For more information, please click here for the 4-pager PDF file.
Facts & Figures
Economic indicators
- Size: Malaysia is 8 times larger than the size of The Netherlands
- Total Landmass: 329.847 square kilometers (Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak)
- Population (2020): 32,79 mln
- Nominal GDP (2020): €342.442 bln, world rank: 36th
- Import from the NL (2020): €884,6 million
- Economic growth (2021 ): 3-4%
- Ease of doing business rank (2020): 24
- Corruption index (2021): 65/198
- Unemployment rate (2020): 4,55%
- Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
- Time difference NL: + 6/7hrs
Circular economy indicators
- Global innovation index (2020): 33/133
- Recycling rate of municipal solid waste (2020): 30,67%
- Renewable energy consumption (2018): 5,3%
Solid waste composition in Malaysia (2019)
Policy Landscape
Malaysia is a country with a federal constitutional monarchy, which has 13 states and 3 federal territories. Malaysia has a King as the head of the country, while the executive power is held by the Prime Minister of the cabinet. Manufacturing is now the Malaysian core sector with several primary industries, such as electrical & electronics (E&E), petroleum products and petrochemicals, semiconductors and machinery, and equipment. Other sectors supporting the country’s economy are palm oil and forestry.
Malaysia has set ambitious goals towards sustainability and circular transition:
- The target of recycling rate in 2025: 40%
- A reduction of gas emissions in 2030: 45%
Malaysia has also developed some actions toward circularity:
- Twelfth Malaysian Plan 2021-2025, a roadmap towards circular economy transition
- Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030, a strategy on escalating EPR regulation in the plastics sector
- Green Technology Master Plan, a set of collaborative actions to develop greener technology in Malaysia
- National Solid Waste Management Policy, an extensive regulation that rules the classification of solid waste, the responsible stakeholders, and a strategy to recycle waste from households and industries
“We see four priority areas when it comes to circular economy opportunities and needs: Manufacturing, plastics, biomass, and waste management"
Dutch Embassy in MalaysiaManufacturing industry
Malaysia’s Investment Performance Report on 2019 shows that remanufacturing the top Malaysian industries (electrical and electronics, vehicle components, chemical, rubber, plastics) can generate three times the current value to the Malaysian economy. Establishing refurbishment and remanufacturing for those industries can be key strategies for Malaysia and for Dutch business partners.
In addition, there is a new market opportunity on electric vehicles (EVs) as the Malaysian government announced on their 2022 National Budget to eliminate all taxes on EVs in Malaysia. The support from the Malaysian government is expected to increase the demand for sustainable batteries.
Adopting a smart industry strategy and enhancing digitization can be beneficial to build a data matching platform for data collection and analysis. Furthermore, combining servitization and smart technologies will make resource efficiency more valuable for industries. Implementing digitization on vehicle components, ICT, medical devices, and aerospace industries can help them to create a more effective production system.
Lastly, the district cooling energy system can be seen as a new strategy as well. Currently, the Malaysian government seeks companies that can provide energy from other renewable energy sources, like biomass and hydropower, or waste-to-energy projects linked to cooling installations.
Plastics
In 2019, WWF Malaysia reported that the country, compared to China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, was the biggest consumer of used plastics per year, with 16,78 kg per person. However, only 24% of it was recycled. The loss of material value in the plastics sector creates economic consequences as the country would potentially lose up to €887 million per year in the plastics recycling market.
Meanwhile, plastics recycling in Malaysia is mostly done by voluntary initiatives, driven by FMCG multinationals in Malaysia. The multinationals started the projects to collect and recycle their plastic packaging waste. Malaysia has room to scale the initiations further and professionalize closed plastic value chains. Dutch product designers in packaging can see this as an opportunity to offer their knowledge in redesigning product packaging.
Technologies such as repurposing non-bottle-PET waste products, training on waste segregation, and certifications on sustainable initiatives are other solutions for the Malaysian plastic waste problem which can be explored.
Biomass
As a leading country in agriculture, Malaysia produces more than 103 million tons of biomass, including agricultural waste, forest residues, and municipal waste. More than 90% of the biomass is derived from palm oil mill residues. Organic residues of the palm oil industry are partly converted into biogas in digesters.
Local companies, mostly based in Sabah and Sarawak face challenges to develop the biomass industry. New technologies and expertise are difficult to find. In addition, Malaysia has the need to sustain its electricity generation mix and pursue new methods to generate from domestic sources. This offers opportunities for collaborative research in the agriculture sector. Combining the expertise fields of biomass, water waste- and energy management offers opportunities for Dutch experts in the palm oil industry.
Further digitalization of the biomass industry at large to identify available and utilized residues can be one of the newer opportunities. Another potential market rises in biogas trapping and methane capturing activities from POME (palm oil mill effluent) treatment. Engaging Dutch entrepreneurs and experts in this field will create business opportunities for renewable biomass energy projects and services.
Waste Management
The Department of Statistics Malaysia stated that the country generated about 38.000 metric tonnes of waste daily in 2019. Overcoming the problem, the government set big ambitions to raise the recycling rate. Lack of information and skills on the waste flows, segregation and recycling become challenges. Furthermore, civil society organizations and academics have limited data on volume waste generation and waste treatment.
Dutch businesses can provide technology and equipment supplies for waste sorting and segregation. Providing digital technology to identify the types of plastics in MSW is expected to be the winner technology. In addition, organic and food waste valorization from MSW is still underutilized. Experts are needed to develop the strategy for that sector.
Lastly, business opportunities evolve in Selangor Maritime Projects. The state wants to rehabilitate the ecosystem along the Klang River and needs assistance. Several actions are possible: developing methods on river waste management, sharing knowledge on renewable energy solutions, building circular economy strategies, and knowledge transfer on biodiversity preservation.
Relevant networks
Circular Economy think tanks/research institutes
Business networks
- Malaysian Dutch Business Council (MDBC)
- Malaysia Recycling Alliance Berhad (MAREA)
- MBI Selangor
- Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers
Embassies
Useful reports & links
- Sustainable waste management in Malaysia
- The Potential of New Conversion Technologies for Adding Value to Malaysian Oil Palm Residues and Increasing Sustainability
- EPR Scheme Assessment for Packaging Waste in Malaysia
- Manufacturing Sector in Malaysia
- Market Study for plastics sector in Malaysia
- Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030
- Malaysia’s Circular Cities Blueprint
Interview with Freek van Eijk for CreativeNL
Freek van Eijk Shares Perspectives Gained at the ReThink Event in Hong Kong
Dutch Mission in Hong Kong and Shenzhen
Rethink Conference and activities attended in Hong Kong and Shenzhen
Aliter Networks - Make a difference with IT
Aimes at extending the life of IT assets
The Netherlands and Hong Kong join forces in circular design at BoDW 2023
New collaboration between Dutch -Hong Kong partners
Webinar: Circular bio-economy in Thailand
online | 13th of December 2022
Explore opportunities for Dutch-Thai collaboration
The NL mission to Malaysia: Solving Global Challenges Together
10 Dutch frontrunners participated in the Dutch trade mission to IGEM.
Circularity 2022: Driving Circular Innovation in the Asia Pacific
Hilton Sydney | 24th until 25th of November 2022
Join the event to learn about CE development in Australia and APAC.
New publication: ‘Waste Management as a catalyst to a Circular Economy'
The publication was launched during the NL mission to Malaysia.
Orange Green Days: Circular design workshop organized at the NL Embassy in Thailand
Circular workshop organized in the NL Embassy in Thailand
Will you host the 2024 Circular Economy Hotspot Event?
Host the 2024 Circular Economy Hotspot Event
NL International Business Day
KAS, De Bleek 13, 3447 GV Woerden | 9th of September 2022
Discover international business opportunities during the NL Business Day
Trade mission ASEAN-5 waste management & circular economy to IGEM Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, MY | 10th until 14th of October 2022
Join the ASEAN-5 Waste Management & Circular Economy trade mission
Virtual trade mission China - Circular smart solutions construction and infrastructure
50th-anniversary diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and China
Seminar on waste management Malaysia & invitation ASEAN trade mission
RVO offices, The Hague NL/ online | 23rd of June 2022
Presentation of business opportunities on Waste Management in ASEAN
Virtual trade mission China on circular smart solutions construction and infrastructure
Online | 9th until 12th of May 2022
Explore circular business opportunities with Minister Schreinemacher
Hydropower and Dams Conference, ASIA 2023
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 14th until 16th of March 2023
Conference and study tour for global water and energy community.
International Conference on Urban Economy and Sustainable Development
Online & Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 6th until 7th of December 2022
A platform for multistakeholder to discuss sustainable development.
The 3rd World Conference on Waste Management 2022
online | 10th until 11th of March 2022
Theme: Challenge & Practices on Waste Management and COVID-19 Post-Pandemic
Singapore: The Netherlands Virtual CE Study Visit
online | 13th until 14th of December 2021
Virtual tour visit to the Netherlands within the circular economy sector
The Future of the Circular Economy in the Philippines
online | 15th of November 2021
Circular Economy in the Philippines and the Netherlands
Open Call for CE Hotspot 2023
Call for hosting the Circular Economy Hotspot 2023 opens
Tokyo Olympics podcast: circular economy and international business
Podcast: HCH's Freek van Eijk and former Dutch Olympic Judoka Edith Bosch
Plastic Waste Management in Vietnam
online | 31st of August 2021
Explore opportunities for Dutch-Vietnamese collaboration
The 4th Indonesia Circular Economy Forum 2021
online | 21st until 23rd of July 2021
Towards Smart and Sustainable Cities through Circular Economy in Indonesia
Webinar "Out of the Box." A Dutch Approach to Tackling Food & Organic Waste
online | 17th of June 2021
Innovative ways to improve food and organic waste management
Circular Plastic Use: Innovate & Change to close the loop
online | 1st until 30th of June 2021
Best collaborative experience for plastic value change
Doing Business in the Philippines Roadshow
online | 1st of June 2021
Opportunities for Dutch companies to do businesses in the Philippines
Kick-Off: North Sumatra Virtual Focus Sessions
online | 28th of April 2021
AgriFood, Water, Renewable Energy, Waste & CE
ReMeet 'Virtual trade mission to Southeast Asia 2020'
Online | 9th of March 2021
An update of the latest developments in the region
The benefits of a circular economy for achieving climate objectives and recovering better
online | 25th of February 2021
A pre-event of the WCEF+Climate
Bluecon - Decentralized Small Scale Wastewater Solutions
Solutions which keep water circulating.
Join the Pipe - City Water
Filtered tap-water in a reusable bottle.
Excess Materials Exchange - The Digital Platform
Where to exchange any type of excess material across industries
Liveability Challenge 2021 Application
online | 15th of January until 15th of April 2021
Criteria for solutions to be submitted.
Circular Polyolefins Outlook
online | 27th of January 2021
Development and trends in regulation, practices and product design.
Sustainable Materials Management Solutions to Marine Debris
online | 10th of November 2020
Circular design for clean oceans
Virtual Mission Track Waste Management & Circular Design South-East Asia
CE opportunities in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.
Virtual Mission Waste Management & Circular Design South-East Asia
online | 12th of October until 11th of December 2020
Virtual CE mission with Minister Sigrid Kaag