Workers upgrading the integrated pollution control system at the plant.

BY DAVID TAN

Cutting edge technologies are adopted to tackle emissions and enable recovery of 98% of household e-waste, reports DAVID TAN.

SHAN Poornam Sdn Bhd, a leading Penang-based waste management company in the country, will invest about RM60mil over the next five years in cutting edge technologies to ensure there is no emission of greenhouse gases.

Its chief executive officer S. Selvakumar says in an interview that the company plans to start recycling household e-waste and recovery of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), using high technology by year 2018.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCHCs) are greenhouse gases commonly found in household e-waste.

He added that cutting edge technologies from Japan and Europe would be adopted to tackle the emission of greenhouse gases such as CFCs and HCHCs.

“The RM60mil investment would be spread over a period of five years.

“The technologies used will enable up to 98% recovery of household e-waste.

Selvakumar showing the electronic waste gold plated lead frame before and after gold recovery.

“Currently there are no recycling firms capable of recovering HCFCs and CFCs, which are also responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer and global warming,” he says.

Selvakumar says the company is in the process of merging with a government linked company, which is scheduled to be completed by this year.

According to Selvakumar, most recyclers in the country are focused on industrial waste. The recycling of consumer e-waste is actually the missing eco-link in the recycling industries in Malaysia for sustainable environment.

“Shan Poornam is now trailblazing this national project which has gained recognition from the federal government.

“The Department of Environment (DOE) has also approved the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the project.

“The company has to be fluid with a high degree of positive and engaged energy.

“Corporate culture has to be meaningful; value-driven focus and corporate loyalty has to be created from the outset.

The aluminum ingots at the furnace section recovered from electronic waste.

“Our investment will also provide the infrastructure needed for the extended producer responsibility (EPR) for the household e-waste recycling and CFC recovery, which will help the country comply with the Basel Convention,” he says.

In the near future, with the set up of household e-waste recycling and CFC recovery facilities, Shan Poornam will be able to handle 250,000 tonnes household e-waste per annum.

The first phase of the household e-waste recycling and CFC recovery facilities when implemented this year, will be able to handle 100,000 tonnes of household e-waste per annum.

“We will also enhance our research and development laboratory to meet the challenges of the new waste generated with the fast paced introduction of new products in the advanced technology age,” he adds.

According to Selvakumar, the e-waste segment contributes 25% directly to the group’s revenue.

“With this new investment, we project that the e-waste business could contribute up to 50% of our group’s revenue,” he adds.

Workers at the hidden gold process unit.

He also says that the group will also increase the capabilities of its new sampling laboratory to manage the household e-waste, industrial e-waste and other hazardous waste.

The company garnered the Platinum award in “Best Innovation” category at last year’s Star Outstanding Business Award (SOBA 2015). Shan Poornam also took home the Gold award in the “Best Green Initiative” category.

“Today, Penang, Selangor and Johor are key contributors to the group’s revenue as all the electronic industries are centralised in these states.

“Moving forward with our new investment in the household e-waste recycling and CFC Recovery, every resident in Malaysia will be our customer,” he says.

On its secondary aluminium ingot manufacturing business, Selvakumar says the business contributes 30% directly to the group’s revenue.

Secondary Aluminium ingot production is the process of recycling aluminium scrap, which includes scheduled waste, into aluminium that can be used again, an environmentally sound process that is 92% more energy efficient than primary production.

The stripping line.

“The ingot business is expanding. The ingots produced comply with the Japanese International Standards, British Standards and American Standards.

“It is also Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) compliant. Our eco-labelled secondary aluminium alloy ingots are well-recognised and qualified by most multi-national corporations and die-casters in Malaysia and around the world,” he says.

“Our concept of ‘waste to raw material supply chain’ can be achieved through Shan Poornam’s fully integrated environmentally sound management facility where we can support the manufacturer to produce Eco Green Product status,” he adds.

Selvakumar says the company is positioning itself to meet international standards in terms of product quality while meeting international environmental and green standards, and respecting intellectual property rights. As such, Shan Poornam is poised to capture more market share.

RoHS compliance refer to banned substance such as mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and four different phthalates.

Dismantling the electronic waste.

All products found in the European Union market after July 1, 2006 must be RoHS compliant.

Shan Poornam operates in Prai Industrial Estate.