In a strategic move to advance sustainable refrigerant practices in Malaysia, EcoLink, a prominent environmental consulting firm, and Sunjin Environment, specializing in refrigerant gas, have announced their plans to enter the Malaysian market by the end of 2025.
The collaboration, aimed at contributing to Malaysia’s efforts in greenhouse gas reduction, will center around the “Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Business,” focusing on the recycling of end-of-life refrigerants for widespread distribution and commercialization. This initiative comes as part of the “Overseas Projects for Fine Dust and Greenhouse Gas Reduction through Ecological Industry Development,” led by the Korea Energy Agency, a subsidiary of the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.
The project involves a comprehensive feasibility study of Malaysia’s refrigerant treatment sector and is currently undergoing on-site investigations in collaboration with local partners, including SIRIM Berhad, an Industrial research and Technology Organaization in Malaysia, and GENSIS Sdn. Bhd., a local company.
Refrigerants, crucial in appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, cars, and cooling systems, play a pivotal role in the global warming discourse, with an impact 1,300 to 4,800 times greater than carbon dioxide.
Malaysia, alongside 196 nations, has committed to international agreements aimed at preventing environmental damage from refrigerants. The Montreal Protocol (1987) guides these nations towards a phased reduction in refrigerant usage, with Malaysia targeting a 30% reduction in HFC consumption by 2035.
To align with international agreements, the Malaysian government is implementing regulations governing refrigerant production, distribution, and import quotas. Additionally, active consideration and adoption of overseas refrigerant treatment technologies are underway.
Sunjin Environment, renowned for its environmentally sustainable “Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Technology,” is poised to make a significant entrance into Malaysia’s refrigerant treatment sector. Leveraging this technology, Sunjin Environment anticipates substantial contributions to Malaysia’s greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
The “Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Business” in Malaysia involves the systematic recovery of discarded refrigerants during the maintenance and replacement of refrigeration equipment. The application of “Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Technology” ensures the environmentally friendly recovery of refrigerants with zero atmospheric emissions, resulting in high-quality recycled refrigerants (with a purity of over 99%). These recycled refrigerants are distributed and sold at a reduced cost compared to new refrigerants, aligning with both environmental and economic objectives.
Businesses availing themselves of this service can enhance the efficiency of their refrigeration equipment, achieve energy savings, and contribute to greenhouse gas reduction through systematic refrigerant management. By preventing the release of discarded refrigerants into the atmosphere, these businesses contribute to environmental protection and Malaysia’s greenhouse gas reduction agenda.
In their comprehensive business feasibility review, Sunjin Environment and EcoLink plan to propose three business models to local partner companies, including:
‘Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Service Business’:Utilizing vehicles equipped with refrigerant recovery and recycled refrigerant charging facilities.
‘Residual Refrigerant Recovery and Sales Service Business’:Collecting residual refrigerants in disposable refrigerant containers.
Building upon the presented business models, Sunjin Environment and EcoLink, in collaboration with local partners SIRIM and GENSIS Sdn. Bhd., are set to conduct a feasibility study and expand the business scope from the initial region of Selangor to encompass the entirety of Malaysia. The initiative holds promise as a significant step towards reinforcing Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable practices and greenhouse gas reduction.