Energy & Technology

Mura Technology has announced its entry into Singapore with the development of a new advanced plastic recycling facility, marking a major step forward in its Asia expansion strategy. The move adds to Mura’s growing global network, which already includes operations under license by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation in Japan, a project being commissioned by LG Chem in South Korea, and its own flagship site in Wilton, Teesside, UK. Together, these facilities are expected to deliver a combined output capacity of 60,000 tonnes of liquid circular hydrocarbons annually by the end of 2025. The new plant will be located on Jurong Island within the Singapore Essential Chemicals Complex (SECC), on a site secured from PCS Pte. Ltd. (PCS). To support this regional growth, Mura has also established a Singapore office. Addressing Southeast Asia’s Plastic Challenge Southeast Asia is forecast to generate 56 million tonnes of mismanaged plastic waste per year by 2050, presenting both an environmental challenge and a resource recovery opportunity. Singapore, known for its leadership in trade, innovation, and circular economy practices, offers the ideal base for Mura to recycle both local and regional plastic waste into high-quality, circular feedstocks. Aligned with Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan, which targets a 70% overall recycling rate by 2030, Mura’s new facility is expected to process more than 60,000 tonnes of plastic annually, with potential expansion to 100,000 tonnes. Partnerships with local companies and the National Environment Agency will help ensure a steady supply of plastic waste from Singapore, supplemented by certified recovered feedstock from regional sources. Strategic Location and Technology Advantage Situated within PCS’s SECC, the facility will benefit from direct pipeline connections to customers, reliable utility access, and proximity to a skilled workforce. It will operate using Mura’s proprietary Hydro-PRT® technology, which breaks down plastic waste into valuable hydrocarbon products that can be used to create virgin-quality recycled plastics. Leadership Perspective Dr Steve Mahon, CEO of Mura Technology, said:“Southeast Asia is a critical region in the global fight against plastic pollution. With its high plastic consumption, rapid urbanisation and strong government commitment to sustainability, Singapore provides the perfect foundation for our first regional facility. This expansion marks a key milestone in our mission to accelerate the transition to a global circular plastics economy.” Expanding Global Footprint The Singapore project further strengthens Mura’s international presence. Its first commercial-scale site in Teesside, UK, is on track to begin operations by the fourth quarter of 2025, with more facilities planned worldwide to meet rising demand for circular plastic solutions.

JAKARTA, Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Danantara announced Wednesday that it has signed a Head of Agreement with Shenzhen-based GEM Limited to jointly develop a High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) smelter with an annual production capacity of 66,000 tons of nickel. The project is valued at around $1.42 billion. GEM, a global leader in green metallurgy and circular economy solutions, is well known for large-scale recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and electronic waste. Danantara CEO Rosan Roeslani said the partnership represents a major step in supporting Indonesia’s socio-economic transformation. “By working with a global pioneer in green metallurgy, we can help advance the government’s agenda for sustainable downstream mineral industrialization,” he said. The project is also expected to involve Vale Indonesia and other international partners. Each year, GEM processes more than 10% of China’s used EV batteries and e-waste, with a workforce of over 11,000 employees across China, South Africa, South Korea, and Indonesia. In Indonesia, the company has already invested in nickel-based new energy materials, industrial parks, research labs, and scholarship programs to develop metallurgical talent. GEM has also contributed $30 million to a joint research laboratory with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), aimed at strengthening Indonesia’s role as a regional hub for green metallurgy innovation and R&D.

SEOUL, Taihan Cable & Solution Co., South Korea’s second-largest cable manufacturer, announced that it has secured major contracts in Qatar with a combined value of 220 billion won (US$158 million), further strengthening its foothold in the Middle East power infrastructure market. Right side photo – provided by Taihan Cable & Solution Co. on Aug. 26, 2025, shows one of the company’s construction sites in the Middle East. In an official statement, the company confirmed that it has received a letter of award from Kahramaa, Qatar’s state-owned electricity and water authority, for a large-scale turnkey project worth 180 billion won. The contract involves expanding the Gulf nation’s transmission network to enhance power stability and support its long-term infrastructure plans. Additionally, Taihan revealed that earlier this month, it was awarded another project worth 40 billion won, also in Qatar, to build a high-voltage power grid designed to accommodate the country’s rising electricity demand, driven by economic growth and rapid urban development. These latest wins reflect Taihan’s growing partnership with Kahramaa, which dates back to 2008. Over the years, the company has consistently participated in numerous projects commissioned by the Qatari utility provider, showcasing its ability to compete effectively against leading global cable makers in one of the world’s most competitive energy markets. A Taihan spokesperson highlighted the significance of the contracts, noting that the Middle East continues to see a sharp rise in demand for power transmission and distribution infrastructure as governments invest heavily in energy diversification and urban expansion. “As demand for power infrastructure continues to grow throughout the Middle East, including Qatar, we will continue to strengthen our portfolio and expand into next-generation solutions such as high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable systems and submarine cable projects,” the company said. The new projects not only reinforce Taihan’s position in the Middle East but also align with its global strategy to expand its market presence beyond traditional cable supply into advanced energy infrastructure solutions.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Debt Ventures Bhd (MDV) has approved RM122.65 million in financing for six technology-driven companies carrying out energy transition projects under the National Energy Transition Facility (NETF). Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang. MDV, operating under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), said part of the financing—RM40.09 million—is earmarked for targeted incentives such as rebates and credit enhancements to lower project costs and improve bankability, subject to MDV’s assessment. Of the six approved companies, five focus on renewable energy solutions like solar and biogas, while one is dedicated to energy efficiency initiatives. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang emphasized that MDV is strategically positioned to channel funding into impactful energy transition projects. “Mosti will continue to support NETF’s implementation, reflecting the Madani government’s commitment to sustainable development, industry collaboration, and positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in low-carbon innovation,” he said. MDV chairman Wong Chen added that the agency aims to accelerate renewable energy adoption by funding key energy transition projects, contributing to socio-economic progress. “Our priority is delivering tangible results aligned with the National Energy Transition Roadmap’s vision for a low-carbon future and addressing urgent climate challenges,” he noted. MDV plans to finance around 20 to 30 technology projects under the NETF, depending on individual project requirements. These initiatives are expected to cut carbon emissions, create new economic opportunities, and drive sustainable growth in Malaysia.

PETALING JAYA: CelcomDigi Bhd has invested a total of RM4.6bil capital expenditure (capex) out of its RM10bil investment commitment during the first five years post-merger as of the first half of this year (1H25), says chief executive officer Datuk Idham Nawawi. He said the total capex investment includes undergoing integration exercises to modernise the network for the past two and a half years since the merger of Celcom and Digi. CelcomDigi Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Idham Nawawi. Idham noted the results of this investment have created more job opportunities in the country’s digital and telecommunications ecosystem, through the construction of 18,000 network sites, 10,000 resellers and nearly 400 branded stores nationwide. “We are going to integrate all our IT systems. We have modernised 84% of our network and are in the middle of our IT consolidation and integration exercise,” he told the media after the launch of CelcomDigi’s CD:NXT flagship initiative at the CelcomDigi hub here yesterday. Earlier in his opening remarks, Idham said CD:NXT is the company’s long-term initiative over a period of eight to 10 years to produce over 5,000 young digital talents with the aim of providing a platform for young Malaysians to become capable digital leaders. “What we offer is not just ordinary artificial intelligence training, or something that can be learned from books or in a classroom – but practical experience and exposure in a very dynamic industry. “We estimate this initiative to be worth more than RM100mil, with a much larger and more meaningful economic multiplier effect on the country’s digital economy,” he said.

HONG KONG, Ricoh Hong Kong has launched the Ricoh InnoAI Program and set up the Ricoh InnoAI Center at Cyberport to support the growth of AI startups. The program will start with over HK$50 million in funding and provide local companies with access to advanced AI technology, business development support, and funding opportunities through the Ricoh Innovation Fund. Ricoh Hong Kong Announces Launch of Ricoh InnoAI Program. The new InnoAI Center will serve as Ricoh’s international AI hub, offering office space, technical resources, and collaboration opportunities for startups. The center will also connect Hong Kong enterprises with global markets, helping them expand internationally. Ricoh will support around 50 startups each year, providing mentorship, marketing, and sales resources to help commercialize their AI products. The program will also use Ricoh’s own AI technology, including enterprise large language models (LLMs) and AI-powered tools, to help businesses develop safer and more efficient AI solutions. Cyberport, home to more than 350 AI and data-focused startups, will work with Ricoh to strengthen Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem. This includes access to Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre, which offers high-performance computing to support AI research and development. Ricoh said the initiative will not only accelerate the growth of local startups but also enhance Hong Kong’s position as a global hub for AI and innovation.

TAIPEI, Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud computing arm of Amazon.com Inc, has announced plans to invest more than US$5 billion (RM23.5 billion) over the next 15 years to establish a new cloud region in Taiwan. The investment underscores Taiwan’s growing importance as a digital hub in Asia, with AWS aiming to support the island’s innovation-driven economy, technology ecosystem and data sovereignty needs. The new AWS Asia Pacific (Taipei) Region will comprise three Availability Zones, each with independent power, cooling and physical security, enabling customers to build highly reliable and resilient applications. Amazon said the development will empower local businesses, start-ups, public sector agencies, and educational institutions to run workloads and securely store data within Taiwan, meeting growing demand for cloud services in areas such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, e-commerce, and financial services. “The new AWS Region in Taiwan will bring world-class cloud infrastructure closer to our customers, offering them greater choice and flexibility,” said Prasad Kalyanaraman, Vice President of Infrastructure Services at AWS. Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs welcomed the announcement, noting that the move is aligned with the country’s push towards digital transformation, cybersecurity enhancement, and fostering innovation in its semiconductor-driven economy. Industry analysts said the investment could further solidify Taiwan’s position as a strategic hub in the Asia-Pacific technology landscape, while also creating opportunities for talent development and local supply chain growth. AWS currently operates 105 Availability Zones across 33 geographic regions globally, with several more under development in countries including Malaysia, Thailand, and Israel. The Taiwan expansion comes at a time of intensifying competition among global cloud providers, as Microsoft, Google, and Alibaba Cloud also expand their footprints across Asia to tap into surging demand from enterprises and governments embracing digitalisation.

Singapore-based Vena Global Group Pte Ltd is ramping up its renewable energy presence across Asia-Pacific, securing 1.1 gigawatts (GW) of new offtake contracts and construction capacity so far in 2025. This pushes its overall contracted and construction (OCC) portfolio to 9.7 GW. The OCC portfolio is spread across key markets: 2.4 GW in Japan, 2.4 GW in North Asia-Pacific (South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia), 3.8 GW in Southeast Asia (Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand), and 1.1 GW in India. Vena said it will fast-track its construction program this year, with 2.4 GW of new projects kicking off in addition to 1.2 GW already underway, bringing its active construction portfolio to 3.6 GW—nearly four times its average over the past three years and its largest to date. To fuel this expansion, the company plans to grow its Green Fund partnerships, widening both their scale and regional coverage. Originally launched in 2019 with Japan’s Hikari LPS, the platform has since attracted institutional investors into Vena’s high-performing renewable assets while allowing the group to retain equity ownership and operational control. Beyond renewables, Vena also recently launched Vena Nexus, its green digital infrastructure platform focused on integrated power and AI-ready data centers, which now has a pipeline of 3 GW IT capacity in Japan and Southeast Asia. “We are excited to accelerate our green portfolio and strengthen Asia’s energy independence and decarbonization goals,” said Nitin Apte, CEO of Vena Group. “This growth reflects our long-term commitment to sustainability and innovation.”

KUALA LUMPUR, Clean energy has made little headway in the global energy mix despite rapid growth in solar, said Singapore GasCo CEO Alan Heng, stressing the need for a pragmatic balance between renewable energy and fossil fuels. Alan Heng, CEO of Singapore GasCo (middle), says: “At some point, whatever fields you have today [will] decline, and unless more investments are put into it, there will not be a replacement for the current supply.” Speaking at SIEWConnects@OCBC on Aug 22, Heng noted that clean energy has held steady at around 12.5% of global supply over the past 15 years. Demand for energy continues to rise with the growth of Asia’s middle class, artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous vehicles, he added. “Humanity has always been better at finding ways to use energy than to produce more of it. That’s not going to change,” said Heng, who previously led Pavilion Energy. He pointed out that in 2000 only 60% of Asia had electricity, but today nearly 96% does. Meeting this demand — and doing so sustainably — remains a challenge. While Singapore has achieved strong economic growth thanks to affordable and reliable energy, Heng said countries like Indonesia and Vietnam also aspire to similar progress. “We must balance net-zero targets with realities on the ground,” he said. Heng, a veteran in the LNG sector, believes the world will still need natural gas for the next 20 years. He was cautious about hydrogen and ammonia, saying they remain viable only in limited clusters for now. He also highlighted hurdles such as Indonesia’s reliance on coal and Malaysia’s fossil fuel subsidies, which make it harder to shift toward clean energy. For alternative fuels to succeed, Heng said, they must be cost-competitive and commercially bankable. Heng warned that neglecting oil and gas investment would create supply shortages and price volatility. Oil and gas reserves decline by about 4%–5% annually, he said, and without reinvestment, supply will not keep up with demand. “If we accept the price shocks, then fine. But if not, we must find a pragmatic balance,” Heng said. Singapore GasCo, set up in May 2024, consolidates natural gas procurement and supply for Singapore’s power sector, allowing the country to secure better long-term contracts and more stable energy prices, according to the Energy Market Authority (EMA). The forum was part of the global lead-up to the Singapore International Energy Week 2024, happening from Oct 27 to 31.

GEORGE TOWN, EPB Group Bhd, a leading provider of integrated food processing and packaging machinery solutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with Shenzhen Honglin Machinery Equipment Co Ltd to accelerate automation adoption and market expansion across Southeast Asia. In a statement, EPB said the collaboration will see the establishment of a new entity, Al Medic Device Equipment Supplies Sdn Bhd, in which EPB will hold an 80% equity stake, while Shenzhen Honglin’s major shareholder and director, Fan Yanlin, will retain the remaining 20%. Shenzhen Honglin, recognised for its expertise in robotics, semiconductor software, and automated manufacturing technologies, will provide a platform for localising high-tech equipment solutions. The partnership is set to expand EPB’s automation capabilities and diversify its machinery portfolio for the food processing sector. “This includes integrating robotics and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven systems to enhance efficiency, hygiene, and production precision — critical requirements for manufacturers across the region looking to modernise their operations,” the statement said. In addition, EPB announced a sustainability-focused technology collaboration with Nidec Corporation, a global leader in motor and drive technology. This initiative will focus on integrating variable frequency drives (VFDs) into EPB’s core machinery offerings, strengthening both energy efficiency and ESG commitments. According to EPB, the adoption of VFDs is expected to lower energy consumption, reduce wear and tear on machinery, extend equipment lifespan, and help customers reduce operational costs. EPB Group managing director Yeoh Chee Min said the partnerships mark two important milestones that reflect the company’s long-term commitment to innovation and sustainability. “Our collaboration with Shenzhen Honglin positions EPB at the forefront of robotics and automation in the region, while our partnership with Nidec enhances the energy efficiency of our machinery and reinforces our ESG agenda,” he said. “With Nidec’s extensive global network, our customers will also benefit from faster, more reliable after-sales service and support through local agents, ensuring peace of mind and uninterrupted operations,” he added. Meanwhile, EPB is in the midst of a major expansion of its Penang operations, having recently acquired 3.173 hectares of land adjacent to its current facility. The new site will house a state-of-the-art factory, showroom, and corporate headquarters. The integrated facility will also serve as the hub for advanced manufacturing and research and development under its partnerships, supporting EPB’s growing automation portfolio and enabling large-scale, high-volume project deliveries across Southeast Asia.