With the integration of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) quickly approaching in 2015, Sabah, Malaysia’s biggest palm oil producing state is shifting focus to investment into downstream capabilities and infrastructure in order to position the region for further growth. In mid-July Genting Plantations announced a partnership with U.S.-based Elevance Renewable Sciences to construct a biorefinery at the state’s Palm Oil Industry Cluster (POIC) at Ladad Datu which as of the end of the first quarter of 2014 has secured investments that exceed $690 million from 40 firms, that will have the annual capacity to produce 240,000 tons of oil-based products including oil-based chemicals that can be made into lubricants, surfactants, detergents, and polymers. The construction of a large-scale palm oil bulking facility at the state’s Sawit POIC was also announced in July. Through a joint venture between Rikaworth and Usaha Dimega, subsidiaries of Sawit Kinabulu and Kretam Holdings, the project which is scheduled to be completed in 2018 includes the construction of a pier, pumping facilities, and 21,800 tons of liquid storage. To read further about the downstream developments occurring in Sabah’s palm oil sector and how these advances will enhance Sabah’s position in regard to wider markets and attract further investments:
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