Shell MDS Malaysia introduces first commercial-scale synthetic microwax

KUCHING: Shell Middle Distillate Synthesis Malaysia (Shell MDS Malaysia) in Bintulu has achieved a ground-breaking feat by introducing the world’s first commercial-scale synthetic microwax, the Shell Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) Microcrystalline Waxes.

Shell Malaysia Country chair and senior vice president (Upstream Malaysia) Siti Sulaiman said this is the first synthetic microwax produced on a commercial scale.

This product boasts high purity and unique properties, making it ideal for premium applications such as personal care, cosmetics, adhesives and candles.

“The launch of this new GTL product portfolio in Sarawak pays homage to the birthplace of GTL waxes and recognises our valued partnership with the Sarawak government.

“This achievement is the result of a six-year journey from ideation to production. It began in 2014 when the petroleum wax unit at Shell’s refinery in Pernis, Netherlands, was shut down, ceasing petroleum-based microwax production. This created a vacuum in the industry for high-quality microwax.

“Realising this, the team at Shell MDS took the opportunity to speak to various customers and it was concluded that customers want to have new and improved wax molecules,” she said.

She was speaking during the Shell MDS Malaysia’s 30^th anniversary celebration dinner and the global launch of Shell GTL Microcrystalline Waxes at Hilton Hotel here, yesterday (July 10).

She said the realisation of demand led them to connect with Alphawax, a prominent Shell microwax distributor in Europe, to develop a formula for synthetic microwaxes using Shell GTL technology and Shell Isomerised Catalyst.

“In 2019, with support from subject matter experts from within Shell, Alphawax, universities, and others, we formulated a way to fast-track the product to market.

“Working alongside Hywax, a major tolling partner in Europe, we proved the concept and piloted the scale to full commercialization using innovative business concepts,” she added.

In addition to the product launch, the event also witnessed a document exchange between Shell MDS and Sarawak Metro for the trial run of Shell GTL Saraphalt on the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system.

For the record, Shell GTL Saraphalt is a performance additive made in the GTL plant in Bintulu for asphalt mix in road construction enabling the mixing of the aggregates in lower temperature than usual and with better performance.

At the same event, Shell MDS also announced a donation of medical equipment worth RM300,000 to the Burn Unit at Bintulu Hospital to provide efficient services and care to burn patients in Bintulu and the nearby areas

Also present were Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg; Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Energy and Environmental Sustainability Deputy Minister Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, and Shell MDS Malaysia managing director Amir Bakar.