NanoMalaysia Berhad (NMB) is bringing together key players in the graphene industry to further the discourse on revolutionising innovations with graphene in its fourth edition of Graphene Malaysia 2019.
This year sees it coming under the umbrella of NanoSummit Malaysia Conference & Expo (MyNano 2019) – an initiative between NanoMalaysia Berhad (NMB) and Malaysia Nanotechnology Association (MNA). It is inaugurated by Deputy Minister of Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC), YB Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis.
Meetings and sessions will include NanoMITe Annual Symposium 2019 (NanoMITe 2019); the Nanotechnology Malaysia Annual Symposium (NanoSym 2019); Graphene Malaysia 2019 and the International Symposium on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology (iSAMN) 2019. In addition, there is also a nanotech talk session which will explore the potentials of nanotechnology in the Halal Industry supported by the Halal Industry Development Corporation and NANOVerify Sdn Bhd.
The aptly themed Graphene Malaysia 2019: Industrialisation Through Graphene Revolution held at Putrajaya Marriott Hotel aims to be a catalyst for interaction and collaborative innovation specifically within the graphene industry with 15 exhibitors and 150 participants this year. Supported by MESTECC and MITI with the National Graphene Action Plan (NGAP) 2020 acting as its strategic partner for the event – it is open to industry leaders, small and medium entrepreneurs, start-up business owners, academicians, researchers, and students.
Comprehensively planned, it features plenary sessions and thematic workshops on graphene production and application of graphene and related materials; metrology, characterisation and standardisation; and commercialisation and industrialisation – as well as an exhibition showcasing the latest products, services, and technology in the graphene field.
Prominent leaders of the industry were present to share their achievements and innovation roadmaps, explore partnership opportunities as well as catalyse the collective desire to revolutionise Malaysia’s local innovations with graphene.
Speaking at the opening of MyNano 2019, Deputy Minister of MESTECC, YB Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis said: “Emerging technologies in the sphere of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) have the potential to improve quality of life and societal well-being, drive economic growth as well as increase productivity and efficiency. To reap the full benefits of emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, the Internet of Nano Things (IoNT) and other disruptive technologies, it is important to understand the social, cultural, political, regulatory, environmental and economic factors influencing access to and acceptance towards these technologies. “
With that in mind, NanoMalaysia Berhad Chief Executive Officer Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad shared: “In 2019, the National Graphene Action Plan and iNanovation enter into commercialisation phase in full swing with more scale-up projects and joint ventures to realise 9,000 high-value jobs and RM20 billion Gross National Income (GNI) targets. The new Joint Ventures, namely MNA Energy and Nano Light Energy Panel focus on energy harvesting and storage with commitments from respective markets. Aligning to 4IR, new projects for 2019 focus on thermal management system for electronics, wireless charging system and radio-frequency identification (RFID) are expected to address a total market size of RM2.23 billion and add 150 new high-value jobs.”
In 2018, NanoMalaysia activated 14 product developments and executed eight scale-up projects with five patents and three copyrights filed with MyIPO. Thus far, it has also created 12 joint-ventures or start-up companies with over 1,771 high-value job opportunities created and a potential GNI contribution of RM3.4 billion.
This year, four companies graduated under the National Graphene Action Plan 2020 in the areas of Radio Frequency (RF) Electronics, Plastics, Sensors and Nanofluids: MySynergy Factor Sdn Bhd; Preston Goechem Sdn Bhd; Metro Koats Technology Sdn Bhd; and Enhance Track Sdn Bhd. The potential revenue from these four companies is RM3.2 million with more than 20 to 30 high-value jobs created.
MyNano 2019 also saw the launch of the Malaysia Nanotechnology Association Journal; an MOU Exchange between NanoMalaysia and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) under the National Graphene Action Plan; and the launch of MNA Energy Sdn Bhd. MNA Energy Sdn Bhd is a joint venture company by NanoMalaysia Berhad that was formed to spearhead the commercialisation activities of Hybrid Energy Storage Systems (HESS) for Electric Vehicles, UPS and Back-Up Applications, and Energy Storage Solutions mainly for Green Energy.
In addition, MyNano 2019 also had an exciting announcement of a joint-venture partnership between NanoMalaysia Berhad represented by Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad and NanoPac (M) Sdn Bhd represented by Dato Dr Cheng Kok Leong, Chief Executive Officer of NanoPac (M) Sdn Bhd – in which they have both reached an agreement to commercialise Nano Light Energy Panels (NLEP) via a New Joint Venture Company, Nano Commerce Sdn Bhd.