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Black wooden pellet
It is reported that a major timber group based in Sarawak thearchitectsdiary.com
has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Japan’s Kobe Steel to
develop black wooden pellet biomass, a substitute for coal

in power generation and industrial heat production.
Under the LOI, a joint feasibility study will be conducted
for a plant capable of producing 300,000 tonnes per year of
black pellets.
Black pellets, created through thermal treatment (torrefaction)
of white pellets under specific conditions, have the calorific
value comparable to coal and are expected to be a low-CO
2
alternative with the potential to be utilised as both a fuel for
power generation and a raw material for steelmaking. Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) which subjects Malaysian

goods to a high level of checks, this was met with dismay
MTCC invites comments by industry groups.
Since 1999 the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) The Malaysian Palm Oil Council said this overlooks the
has been advancing sustainable forest management through efforts taken by Malaysia to address deforestation risks in
the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS). the oil palm sector.
Following the scheme’s last re-endorsement in 2021 by the Despite Malaysia’s challenge to the classification of
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), ‘Standard Risk’ this is unlikely to be changed before the

MTCS standards are undergoing a review for re-endorsement reassessment in 2026.
to align with national and international requirements. The MTA has said it will keep engaging with EU stakeholders
The public statement from MTCC says this is ongoing and the Malaysian government to ensure products is accepted
commitment to strengthen sustainable forest management in the EU market.
practices to ensure long-term sustainable environmental, Based on their engagements with EU competent authorities
social and economic benefits from our forests in Malaysia. that ensure operators and traders comply with the EUDR the
To ensure a transparent and participatory process as outlined MTA representatives said that it determined that not every EU
in MTCS ST 1001:2021—Standards Setting Procedures for member state is ready to implement the regulation.
Forest Management Certifications, a multi-stakeholder Standard

Review Committee (SRC) will be formed. Boosting downstream teak manufacturing
This committee will be a key platform for enhancing the The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and the Perlis
credibility, inclusivity and transparency of the MTCS. Forestry Department (JPNPs) have strengthened collaboration
to boost the value of Perlis teak, aiming to support community
Malaysia challenged EUDR ‘Standard Risk’ classification economic development through downstream production.
Recently, representatives from the Malaysian Timber Association FRIM Director-General Dr. Ismail Parlan said these
(MTA) visited EU industry counterparts, policymakers and downstream products, derived from teak plantations, contribute

competent authorities. directly to environmental sustainability efforts. FRIM continues
Malaysia is classified as ‘Standard Risk’ under the European to enhance the branding of teak-based products by building