THE Petchem Industrial Park in Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu is set to become Sarawak’s premier hub for petrochemical industries, with an estimated investment of RM4.5 billion so far.
International Trade, Industry, and Investment (MINTRED) Deputy Minister Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh said the estimated figure does not include the potential investment on the use of methanol for the manufacturing of plastic, polyester and other chemicals.
He said the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) is currently spearheading the development of the park.
“The park is covers an expansive area of approximately 1,000 acres, he said in reply to Tanjung Datu assemblyman Azizul Annuar Adenan during question time today.
Meanwhile, he said the Sarawak methanol project undertaken by Sarawak Petchem Sdn Bhd is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2024.
“As of April 2023, construction of the project has reached 90 per cent,” he said.
In addition to the methanol project, he said there are two other investment projects, namely Onshore Gas Plant 1 (OGP1) by Sarawak Shell Berhad, which is currently being implemented and expected to be completed by the end of 2026, and OGP2 by PTTEP HK Offshore Limited, which is anticipated to start site preparation activities next year, followed by plant development in 2025.
He said SEDC, through SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd, collaborated in joint ventures with foreign investors to implement projects in Petchem Industrial Park, such as a medical glove manufacturing plant with American investors that is currently in the construction phase and is anticipated to begin operations in the first quarter of 2024.
Malcolm said two hydrogen projects with investors from South Korea and Japan are included in this.
“These projects are now in the front end engineering design stage and are anticipated to make a financial investment decision in the first quarter of 2024 and become operational in 2027,” he added.
