USD 20 mln MoU between Pertama Ferroalloys, EXIM Bank to pave way for green materials production in Sarawak

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OSAKA – April 16: A strategic USD 20 million agreement signed between Pertama Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd and the Export – Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank) is poised to pave the way for the development of Sarawak’s first production facilities for Electrolytic Manganese Metal (EMM) and High Purity Manganese Sulphate (HPMnS) – key materials in the renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) sectors.

According to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) news report, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at the Malaysian Pavillion during the OSAKA EXPO 2025 in Japan, marks a major step forward in Sarawak’s push to position itself as a hub for green industrial materials.

The signing was formalized by EXIM Bank president and chief executive officer Nurbayu Kasim Chang and Pertama Ferroalloys chairman Hirotaka Suzuki.

It was witnessed by secretary-general of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Malaysia, Dato Hairil Yahri Yaacob, and Pertama Ferroalloys board member and general manager Yuki Nakamura.

Nakamura said the collaboration stands as a testament to what can be achieved when ‘vision aligns with decisive action’, echoing the spirit of the Sarawak government’s Post Covid-10 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

Pertama Ferroalloys, a key ferroalloy investor based in Samalaju Industrial Park in Bintulu, had earlier announced that it is in discussions with the Japanese government on potential new inveestements to produce MEMM and HPMnS in Sarawak. Feasibility studies for the proposed facilities are already underway.

The plan was also presented to the Sarawak government during a key meeting between Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Japan’s Ministry of Trade, Economy, and Industry (METI) in Tokyo in December 2024.

According to a statement, this strategic initiative is expected to significantly enhance Sarawak’s industrial capabilities in the renewable energy sector through the production of EMM and HPMnS.

“These crucial materials are essential for advanced steel used in renewable energy applications, including solar battery storage and the powering of EVs”

This significant step forward builds upon Pertama’s established presence and steadfast commitment to Sarawak’s economic development,” the statement said – DayakDaily