BY JAMES WONG & ALEXANDRA LORNA
KUCHING: Eco-friendly batteries are pivotal components in transforming the energy landscape towards sustainability, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He noted that lithium-based batteries, which are dominant in the current market, comes with disposal challenges and have a relatively short lifecycle of five to ten years.
“However, technology has advanced, and researchers have explored zinc-ion technology as a substitute for lithium, as zinc is lower in carbon emissions and environmentally friendly.
“If the technology currently being researched by scientists proves successful, it could open up the possibility of creating batteries using alternative materials instead of lithium, and these alternatives would be more environmentally friendly,” he said.
He made these remarks during the opening of Fuya Energy Sdn Bhd at Demak Laut Industrial Park here Wednesday (Sept 20).
Abang Johari also stressed the importance of eco-friendly batteries in the evolving transportation sector that align with sustainability goals.
He explained that as the transportation industry transitions from traditional fossil fuels to electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, eco-friendly batteries remain crucial for initiating and sustaining these new energy sources.
“Even though these new energy sources power vehicles, eco-friendly batteries are still necessary to start them off. Therefore, the battery must be eco-friendly too,” he added.
In addition, he commended Fuya Energy Sdn Bhd for embracing technology and adopting the process of using technology that utilises clean energy.
“Fuya Energy Sdn Bhd has taken commendable steps to produce batteries using clean energy sources to reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, the company is using robotic operations and technology to enhance efficiency in battery production.
“As this company is collaborating with i-CATS University College, I would like i-CATS to work with them to explore the substitution of lithium to develop eco-friendly batteries.
“It is my aspiration that Sarawak will soon become a global hub for the production of environmentally friendly batteries, benefiting not only our region but also the entire world,” he stated.
The ceremony earlier also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Fuya Energy Sdn Bhd and i-CATS University College, witnessed by Abang Johari.
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Deputy State Secretary Datuk Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel; Deputy Minister of International Trade and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen; i-CATS Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Shahren Ahmad Zaidi Adruce; Fuya Energy Sdn Bhd director Allan Tay Tze Poh; chairman Datuk Seri Tay Chin Kin; and Jujiang Power Technology Co. Ltd China representative Jiang Ren Hai.
