The following article is written by one of our interns, Ngigi Judith Wambui. It details her experience in the recent International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (iGEM). In the article, she 1) highlights the companies in attendance, 2) provide a brief description on the type of innovations/programmes promoting good environmental practices, and 3) how these initiatives can benefit her home country, Kenya.
The International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition & Conference is a platform that is created for solution providers and green energy businesses to tap into the fast-moving ASEAN market by showcasing their latest innovations to the policy makers, government organizations, potential investors and the mass market. The exhibition was held in the Kuala Lumpur Convection Centre from the 17th to 20th of October 2018. Many photovoltaic and solar panel companies dominated the exhibition, but several universities were also able to showcase the projects that have been created by their students. The two universities in attendance were Multimedia University and Tokyo Metropolitan University. Below is a brief summary on some of the companies and universities and their products and services that were on showcase at the exhibition.
Miracle Spectrum
The main company that is in conjunction with this spectrum is Symphony Environmental based in the UK. The company is committed to reducing pollution mainly through plastics. The company has come up with d2w, an additive that is added to plastics during the manufacturing process that makes them bio-degradable over a period of time in accordance to the use of the plastic. The main by-products of the plastic when they are decomposing are water, carbon dioxide and biomass. The company aims to reduce the amount of plastics that end up in landfills and also in water bodies in which has been detrimental to marine life. The introduction of the additive can reduce plastics from being diverted to landfills and water bodies, which will help improve the lifespan of aquatic animals, and help achieve an environment that is free of plastic wastes.
Tenaga Nasional
Tenaga is the sole company in Malaysia that provides electricity. They have partnered with PETRONAS for an ongoing project that will provide electric charging stations for electric vehicles. The aim is to reduce carbon emissions and find ways to incorporate environmentally friendly projects. They also have a collaboration with Maevi a company that helps in smart home living. Some of the energy conservation strategy that can be installed in homes are like air conditioning control, live energy monitoring, light control, appliances control and door and window sensors.
SONUSYS
SONUSYS is a Korean based company that is the first company in the world to come up with a hidden rail system for windows. The system that they have developed makes it easier to keep the windows clean for example during rainy seasons the rain water is drained automatically to the outside. The design is also said to be safe as it will be impossible to derail windows during harsh weather conditions. The hidden rail system has incorporated a thermal break which increases the heat insulation capability as well as increase the durability.
The image below shows the SONUSYS window its structure and the way it works:
Multimedia University (Malacca)
Multimedia University were showcasing ‘The Lite Shower’, which is a portable shower. The targeted users for this product are homeless and poor urban dwellers that do not have access to proper bathroom facilities. This project has an easy assembly process is portable, making it easy to be moved from place to place with ease. This product is highly recommended for countries with long periods of drought and do have all year-round access of clean water.
The set-up is basically a 3-step process shown in the image below.
Conclusion
iGEM 2018 has shown that the green market and industry in Malaysia is growing wih an increase in demand for greentech and eco-friendly products. The companies in attendance that participated in the exhibition clearly showed that the Malaysian market is going green as they are committed to reduce pollution and green house gases.
The concept of green energy has made me realise that other developing countries similar to Malaysia could benefor from the green initiatives that Malaysian companies are taking. The initial installation of most of the appliances such as solar panels, electric car charging stations may incur capital costs but the gross outcome is more rewarding and sustainable the demand for grid connected electricity is reduced from the use of natural resources. There is also significant environmental improvements from using less and cleaner energy sources.
Such initatives would bring major benefit to Kenya, particularily the photovoltaic industry because of the weather conditions in the country. The introduction of solar panels to the mass market will drastically help improve the distribution of electricity to areas that do not have access to grid connected electricity.
The products and innovations that have been discussed in the article could greatly benefit developing countries and their respective markets should they be introduces in their countries.
