GLOBAL PLAYERS CONVENE IN REVOLUTIONISING INNOVATIONS WITH GRAPHENE
KUALA LUMPUR, 10th July 2017 – Malaysia’s vision for 2020 and beyond to become an innovation driven economy is a significant step closer to reality with revolutionising innovations with graphene being the focus for Graphene Malaysia 2017 – a two-day event featuring talks, presentations and business pitches by some of the world’s best in the graphene field, as well as MoU exchanges.
The international conference, which is being held for the second time in Malaysia presents some of the most relevant and current topics on graphene research and commercialisation, including Graphene in Asia; The Roadmap to Applications of Graphene, Layered Materials and Hybrid Systems; A Path to Bulk Graphene Commercialisation; Unlocking Industrial Applications via Graphene Composites; Graphene and 2D Materials EUREKA Cluster: Fostering European Competitiveness; The Road to Commercialisation & Lessons Learned – thus making it ideal for Malaysia’s industry, small-medium enterprises, start-ups and postgraduate students as the future leaders to learn in their quest to drive and ensure sustainable innovations for the country in line with the aspirations of the National Graphene Action Plan 2020 (NGAP2020).
Graphene Malaysia 2017, which begins today offers participants the opportunity to interact, exchange ideas, network and form commercial collaborations with graphene leaders and specialists from the world over including Canada, US, UK, South Korea, China, Spain, Taiwan, Norway, Singapore, Germany and Japan. Held concurrently, is an exhibition showcasing the latest products, services and technology in the graphene field by both local players particularly NGAP2020 companies and international organisations.
Graphene Malaysia 2017 is organised under the aegis of the National Graphene Action Plan 2020 spearheaded by NanoMalaysia Berhad. The global event is supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry International Trade and Industry.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau said “This year’s conference has been opened up for postgraduate students to participate in posters and oral presentations. It is a pleasure to see that the students are
keen to share their research ideas in graphene and to explore more about graphene commercialisation and industrialisation. Their participation in Graphene Malaysia 2017 symbolises the country’s seriousness in developing future leaders in this sector.”
“The National Graphene Action Plan 2020 is very much aligned to Malaysia’s National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy which has six strategic thrusts and one of them is to re-energise the nation’s strategic industrial sector.” he said.
He further added, “Malaysia’s vision in 2050 is to be in the top 20 countries for gross domestic product, creativity and innovation and happiness index. Therefore, I expect greater interaction between industry, local institutions, small-medium enterprises and the society to drive our economy through inclusive graphene-based products and solutions addressing social, environmental and economic challenges in this new era of Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
“Through this event, it is wished that it will catalyse the collective desire to revolutionise our local innovations with graphene.” he commented.
Minister of International Trade and Industry Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed commented, “With National Graphene Action Plan 2020, graphene has become an integral part of Malaysia’s growth as an industrialised nation and with graphene, Malaysia is set to become the most technologically developed countries amongst industrialising nations in the ASEAN region. The nation’s persistent drive to engage modern technologies proves to be a great advantage to manufacturers in Malaysia.”
He acknowledged that the National Graphene Action Plan 2020 is a proof of Malaysia’s movement towards advanced electronics innovation and manufacturing. Malaysia also has well-developed infrastructure. He further explained, “Industries in Malaysia are predominantly located in over 200 industrial estates and Free Zones developed throughout the country. These zones are categorised as export processing zones, which cater to the requirements of export-oriented industries. There are also specialised parks that have been developed to cater to the needs of specific industries. The manufacturing of graphene-based products can be easily established here.”
The appointment of NanoMalaysia Berhad as the lead agency is to facilitate and monitor execution through awareness building and convening players to create projects, expanding the scope of existing funding sources to include graphene, as well as building and vetting a network of graphene experts and maintaining a list of available graphene suppliers.
NanoMalaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Rezal Khairi Ahmad said Graphene Malaysia 2017 is organised for the second time to regularly update the public on latest development of graphene commercialisation and to explore new business opportunities for both local and international companies.
“After more than three years National Graphene Action Plan 2020 been established, Malaysia now have a cumulative of 30 graphene-based projects with 12 local companies graduating in July 2017 with graphene-based lubricant, coolant, alternative energy and back-up storage, automotive component, concrete admixture, rubber master-batch and glove industrial prototypes having the potential to generate almost an
additional RM300 millions in revenue.” he said. He added that graphene commercialisation is a profitable endeavour thus to revolutionising our local innovations with graphene will eventually make our exports much more valuable and competitive in the global market.
“As part of our national science and technology leadership agenda, we want to encourage postgraduate students who are future leaders of tomorrow to undertake further valuable research in graphene field through interaction with the industry. The existing research findings should not be left in the shelves but to be made known to the world and be commercialised. Coincidentally, the industry requires input from research findings on how to incorporate graphene into products the proper way. By convening here at Graphene Malaysia 2017, a collaborative platform to bridge researchers with companies or vice versa through facilitation from NanoMalaysia is created” he added.
Graphene Malaysia 2017 witnessed MoU Exchanges between NanoMalaysia with IDC Global Sdn. Bhd. on deploying graphene-based building materials for the construction industry, both local and abroad (potential global market capture: RM1 billion in 2018). NanoMalaysia will also enlist International Islamic University Malaysia as technology provider for Malaysia’s SMEs under the National Graphene Action Plan 2020 commercialisation delivery framework.
Intense commercialisation of graphene-based technology is presently ongoing in developed countries, and the market is expected to grow significantly – with forecasts ranging between some US$150 million and US$280 million by 2020. The graphene market in Asia Pacific is projected to record the fastest growth rate globally thanks to the region’s growing manufacturing sectors, competitive labour costs and increasing graphene-based application patents.
Graphene Malaysia 2017 is jointly organised by NanoMalaysia and Phantoms Foundation. NanoMalaysia was incorporated in 2011 as a company limited by guarantee under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to act as a business entity entrusted with nanotechnology commercialisation activities. Madridbased Phantoms Foundation is a non-profit organisation, which focuses its activities on nanoscience and nanotechnology and is now a key player in structuring and fostering European excellence and enhancing collaborations in these fields.
For enquiries kindly contact, Ms. Audra Jeyaraj at writemedia@gmail.com / 012 6915 024 or Ms. Ong Lih Tyng at lihtyng.ong@gmail.com / 012 489 4191
About Graphene.
- Graphene – a single-atom thick layer of graphite first isolated in the UK in 2004 –is described as the strongest (200 times stronger than steel), thinnest and most stretchable crystal as well as one of the best electrical conductor known to man. It holds significant promise in replacing conventional semiconductor materials such as silicon, and has fittingly been dubbed by the scientific community as a “wonder material”.
About National Graphene Action Plan 2020
- Launched in 2014, the National Graphene Action Plan 2020 is the result of an extensive collaboration between the Malaysian government, private sector companies, domestic and international research institutes, and academia to assess how the country can benefit from the potential of graphene. By 2020, the plan is aimed at exploring the material’s downstream economic potential in five priority focus areas. These include lithium-ion battery anodes and ultracapacitors, rubber additives, nanofluids (drilling fluids and lubricants), conductive inks, and plastic additives for deployment in relevant industrial sectors such as automotive, oil and gas, electrical and electronics, and consumer goods.
- Collectively these applications have the potential to contribute to achieving additional gross national income impact of more than RM20 billion and help create 9,000 new jobs for these industries in Malaysia by 2020.
- Market size for lithium-ion battery/ultracapacitor: USD 3 billion global sales at addressable market size and USD 5 billion global sales at downstream market size by 2020.
- Market size for plastic additives: USD 1 billion global sales at addressable market size and USD 10 billion global sales at downstream market size by 2020.
- Market size for conductive: Graphene conductive inks for RFID will contribute USD 1 billion global sales at addressable market size and USD 3 billion global sales at downstream market size by 2020.
- Market size for conductive: Graphene conductive inks for RFID will contribute USD 1 billion global sales at addressable market size and USD 3 billion global sales at downstream market size by 2020.
- This year, the National Graphene Action Plan 2020 has graduated 12 companies in developing industrial products for applications in the areas of rubber, oil & gas, plastics, electronics and renewable energy namely graphene-based lubricant, coolant, alternative energy and back-up storage, automotive component, concrete admixture, rubber master-batch and glove.
- The potential revenue from the 12 companies is RM300 million and more than 1,000 jobs created
- Companies: Penchem Technologies Sdn. Bhd.| IDC Global Holdings Sdn. Bhd.| Jenuris Lubricants| GB Sekhar Sdn. Bhd.| Eclimo Sdn. Bhd.|MNA-Reseach Sdn. Bhd.|Top Glove Corporation Berhad|Scomi Rail Berhad|Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn. Bhd.|Scomi Chemicals Sdn. Bhd.|Diptech Industries Sdn. Bhd.|Bonding Technology Resources Sdn. Bhd.
About Graphene Malaysia 2017
- List of exhibitors: Grafoid Inc., Designex 3D Sdn. Bhd., RGS Corporation Sdn. Bhd., Haydale Limited, Abalonyx AS, Interscience Sdn. Bhd., Crest Group of Companies, MIMOS Semiconductor, Anexus, Anton Paar, ADASTRA IP, KASS International, KDJ Law, DahanTech, Platcom Ventures, TEE IP, Graphene 3D Lab Inc., E-tecs, Penchem and IDC Group of Companies.
- Sponsors: Platcom Ventures and Grafoid Inc.
- Strategic partner: Agensi Inovasi Malaysia .
- Website: www.graphenemalaysiaconf.com.
About MoU Exchanges
- NanoMalaysia with IDC Global Sdn. Bhd. – Deploying graphene-based building materials for the construction industry. – Dr. Rezal Khairi Ahmad, CEO of NanoMalaysia exchanged MoU with Mr. Roger Heng, Managing Director of IDC Global Sdn. Bhd.
- NanoMalaysia with International Islamic University Malaysia as NGAP2020 technology provider. – International Islamic University Malaysia as technology provider for Malaysia’s SMEs under the National Graphene Action Plan 2020 commercialisation delivery framework. – Dr. Rezal Khairi Ahmad, CEO of NanoMalaysia exchanged MoU with Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Zaleha Kamarudin, Rector International Islamic University Malaysia.
