BY MA CHEE SENG & LEE SHAW WEI
SARAWAK Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) has launched a Waste to Wealth Programme to convert mill waste into valuable products for additional revenue as part of its sustainability management in palm oil milling activities.
Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom stated that one of the initiatives undertaken was to convert the Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) into fibre-mat or known as ecomat.
“This biodegradable ecomat will be used for mulching, which acts as organic fertilizer, soil erosion control, soil moisture retention and weed control.
“The ecomat plant at the Serian palm oil mill completed in October 2022 has a daily production capacity of 2,000 pieces and its product is now available in the market.
“Salcra also plans to collaborate with the private sector to produce insect proteins for animal feed by using black soldier fly,” he explained.
Once implemented, the initiative would help to reduce mill decanter cake waste while also providing a sustainable eco-solution for waste management.
