S’wak chosen for USD1.5bil graphite manufacturing plant due to strategic location, friendly citizens, clean and affordable tariff

Lu speaking during the MOU signing ceremony between SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd and Gallois Group of Companies at a local hotel in Kuching on Feb 2, 2024. Photo credit: Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas)

KUCHING, Feb 2: Sarawak was chosen to construct the USD1.5 billion high-end graphite manufacturing plant due to its strategic location, friendly citizens, and clean and affordable electricity tariff.

Gallois Group of Companies president George Lu said the project involves the development of 380 acres of land in three stages, starting in 2025 with a power demand of 100MW and gradually increasing to 500 MW after three years while achieving an annual output of 400,000 tonnes of product.

“Collaboration with Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Energy will ensure we have shared values, innovation, and a collective vision for the future of the EV (electric vehicles) and hydrogen energy sectors,” said Lu in his speech during the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd and Gallois Group of Companies at a local hotel today.

The ceremony was witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain, and other distinguished guests.

On the same note, Lu said with strong support from the Sarawak government, SEDC Energy, together with cooperation from the Ministry of International Trade and Investment (Mintred) Sarawak, Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Sarawak, and KKB Engineering Bhd, they are confident in achieving the targeted goals.

He added that the goals are to establish a high-end Graphite Manufacturing Plant in Samalaju Industrial Park in Sarawak, reach a total investment of USD1.5 billion, provide high-skilled job opportunities and training for the local community, and contribute to knowledge transfer and technological advancements.

SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd (SEDC Energy) and Gallois New Energy Materials (M) Sdn Bhd (Gallois New Energy) have officially signed a MOU to accelerate the development and establishment of the high-end graphite manufacturing plant to produce high-end spherical natural graphite and synthetic graphite in Samalaju Industrial Park, Bintulu.

Gallois group owns over 280 square kilometres of mining areas in the Republic of Madagascar, which has been under exploration for more than 100 years, and 240 million tons of large flake graphite oar has been discovered within less than two per cent of the total area.

Their graphite products currently hold a 65 per cent global market share, excluding those produced in China. — DayakDaily