The biodegradable element makes it more eco-friendly

Saturday February 26, 2011

By JADE CHAN
jade@thestar.com.my
Photos by SAM THAM

THE JASA Eco Biodegradable Foam Products are all set to appeal to traders and consumers who want to conform to green policies and further embrace eco-friendly habits for a greener environment.

The products are manufactured by Greatpac Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Wawasan TKH Holdings Bhd, that is touted as the first and only company to have successfully developed fully biodegradable foam food packaging in Malaysia.

The recently launched Jasa Eco Biodegradable Foam Products complements Greatpac’s collection of eco-friendly food and beverage packaging products under the Jasa Eco brand, which also includes a corn starch-based range and a compostable range.


Environmental-friendly: (from left) Greatpac Sdn Bhd senior manager Loong Kin Leong, Wawasan TKH Holdings Bhd CEO Datuk Tan Boon Pun, Douglas, Tan and RicheBio Sdn Bhd managing director Christopher Chin having a look at some of the biodegradable products.

“Jasa Eco Biodegradeable Foam Products are a revolutionary new product range produced by Greatpac which uses an organic additive called EcoPure that makes it 100% biodegradable,” said Greatpac senior manager Douglas Tan.

“The Jasa Eco Biodegradable Foam Products offer an alternative to the existing foam packaging and takes about two years to biodegrade in a landfill environment,” added Douglas.

The products are presently available in the form of food packaging like lunchboxes, plates, bowls, trays and even microwaveable containers in various sizes, with plans to include beverage packaging like cups in the future.

“Among the benefits of the Jasa Eco Biodegradable Foam Products are its familiar shape and size (to existing foam packaging), non-porous and good insulation properties, affordability and biodegradable element,” said Douglas.


Full sets: The biodegradable products are available in the various forms of food packaging.

“While our products are more expensive than conventional foam packaging in terms of price point, the impact is just a small increment of five to 10 sen but it has a positive effect for the environment.”

Douglas said the products fulfil one of Greatpac’s major corporate social responsibility goals to help save the environment, as well as to ensure the health and safety of their consumers.

“Our products are accredited with food safety contact certificates from Sirim, SGS and the US Food and Drug Administration,” he said.

Greatpac managing director Datuk Tan Hoe Pin said the company is projecting to have the Jasa Eco products contribute some 20% of Greatpac’s overall turnover by the end of this year, with a 5-10% increment every year, for the local market.

“We are expecting our export market to grow faster as the foreign markets have not come across biodegradable foam products and we have already received interest from Australian, American and European countries,” he said, adding that Greatpac’s turnover was close to RM70 million last year.

Jasa Eco Biodegradable Foam Products are available for sale directly through Greatpac, and will also be made available nationwide via major hypermarket and retailer chains like Tesco, Giant, Carrefour and Parkson from April onwards.

For details, contact Greatpac at 603-6286 0888/ info@jasa-eco.com, or visit www.jasa-eco.com

Tropicana City Mall’s green event to instil environmental awareness in children

Friday June 17, 2011
The Star

OVER 95 children was inducted as Junior Green Corps in conjunction with the “Green Heroes Unite” event at Tropicana City Mall recently.

Organised by Mypartners Communications and EcoKnights, Green Heroes Unite was aimed at creating greater environmental awareness and inspire the community to take action in their everyday lives.

Grand prize winner, Annie Liang Siew Chin, 12, walked home with a Jasa Eco hamper and Green Lantern movie premiums worth RM1,200.


Off to save the world: Mypartners managing director Patrick Wee (third from left) and Tan (second from right) with Annie (middle) at the event.

Contestants aged between nine and 12 were required to don a green superhero costume and share green ideas on stage.

As part of the Junior Green Corps, the members will receive regular updates and invitations to participate in various green initiatives such as tree-planting and beach-cleaning.

“We are proud to be the official sponsor of the Green Heroes Unite event. This is a great opportunity for the public to get involved and learn about how to live a greener, more eco-friendly lifestyle.

“It is inspiring to see children take to the stage and share their green ideas. This reminds us that conserving the environment is everyone’s responsibility,” said Jasa Eco senior manager Douglas Tan.

新院媒体研究系《SE3D 森生不息》环保活动（24/10-27/10/2010）

加影新纪元学院媒体研究系二年级公关组的学生将于2010年10月24日至10月27日（星期日至星期三），举办为期四天的《SE3D 森生不息》社区关怀与环保活动。此活动的宗旨为推广社区关怀、发扬新纪元学院“源自社会，回馈社会”的教育理念，但最为重要的还是提高公众的环保意识。这是新院媒体研究系每年必办的一项公共关系实务课之主要计划；意即学生必须把之前所学的理论或知识运用在筹办一场规模较大型的社区关怀及环保活动。估计将有超过1，000人出席此活动。

《SE3D 森生不息》，意指。该活动将会在10月24日早上9时30分拉开序幕一直到10月27日结束。YB欧阳捍华等人将受邀为24日活动开幕嘉宾。

筹委会主席黄昭扬指出：“我们相信从自己开始做起的信念，把关心地球、爱地球的种子种植在我们心里，让环保种子像森林般的‘生生不息’。”此活动运用了时下最热门的3-D立体话题来呈现创意的环保新概念。“3-D”代表的是感官上的多重体验，如：听、看、触动；也代表低能量、低消耗、低开支；少用、再使用、再循环；垃圾分类桶的颜色：棕色、蓝色、橙色。爱环境、爱地球、爱自己，以实际行动让自己更贴近和感受我们的地球。

当天的节目将依据主办单位的3-D环保概念主题所设，包括了听、看及触动的区域。“听”的区域有提供环保资讯的讲座，其中有高科技垃圾讲座以及由主讲人亲身示范的酵素讲座和亲子素食烹饪课；“看”的区域有“纸皮隧道”，将会展出多位摄影师的摄影作品，以地球美好的一面直到地球被破坏和污染的一面作为整体概念，警惕大家地球正面临的危害；“触动”的部分则有DIY创意教室教导大众如何废物利用，以及为幼稚园小朋友准备的SE3D运动会。当天还会有《创意环保袋填色与绘画比赛》，欢迎各大中小学生和幼稚园的小朋友报名参加，优胜者将会赢取丰富的奖品。

该活动与往年不同之处是主办单位发挥大专生的创意来做环保，把环保概念传达至每一个年龄层，并强调环保生活化，每人都可身体力行实践环保理念，大的改变从小步骤开始。当天重点节目之一——由主办单位精心设计的SE3D运动会，届时将会汇聚多间幼稚园的小朋友，以创意有趣及实践性的方式培养小朋友环保和爱地球的意识。

除此，主办单位也邀请到了马来西亚‘慈济’团体，透过精美的展览品教导大众如何简单做环保。慈济当天也会在新院举办两个时段的大型“百蔬V族大聚会”。

所有活动都是免费开放给公众人士参观与参与，到场者还可免费享用主办单位所提供的1,000份素食。父母若携带孩子出席，主办单位所设的“绿色希望”小孩区会有工作人员全天照顾您的孩子，父母可放心参与讲座与活动。其他一系列的精彩活动和表演还包括：高科技垃圾讲座，亲子素食坊，街头艺人，领养可爱的“仙人掌宝宝”及参观‘SE3D纸皮隧道’及慈济的展览单位等等。

欢迎各界人士踊跃出席及前来赢取丰富的奖品。本环保展览会每日开放时间：早上9时30分至下午5点。欲知详情请联络：巫敏瑄 016-7730471，黄昭扬 016 – 6491943 或浏览：http://necse3d.blogspot.com/。

特大塑胶包装 推出环保免洗餐具

企业27/04/2010 17:39
中国报

（吉隆坡27日讯）WWTKH（WWTKH，8818，主要板工业）旗下独资子公司特大塑胶包装（Greatpac）私人有限公司，推出Jasa Eco环保免洗餐具，放眼新產品在5年內为投资带来回酬。

　“希望新產品在年底，取得30万至40万令吉销售。”

　特大塑胶包装董事经理拿督陈和彬指出，公司用两年时间研討此环保產品，並在机械和模具方面投资约100万令吉。

　“公司把回酬目標放在5年后，原因是公司將在首三年积极举办多项活动，以提升国人环保意识，从而设立分销轨道。”

　“相信新系列环保餐具將可取代现有传统塑料餐具。”

　他今日出席Jasa Eco推介礼及与武汉华丽环保科技签约仪式后，如是指出；列席者包括WWTKH主席拿督陈金火、特大塑胶包装出口与环保发展部经理陈贞源、武汉华丽总经理张先炳。

　该公司与武汉华丽签下策略联营合约，后者为可塑淀粉生物降解材料（PSM）供应商。

　陈和彬说，两个月內把新產品引进全国家乐福霸级市场销售。

　“公司目前把大马市场视为主要发展先锋，但还是透过现有海外分销管道宣传新產品，逐步为新產品开拓海外市场。

　Jasa Eco是环保免洗餐具是由可塑淀粉生物降解材料所製造。

Greatpac distributes 150 Jasa Eco packs

2011/06/22
By R. Indumathi
New Straits Times


Lim Lip Eng (left) and Douglas Tan (second from left) distributing the green goodie bags goodie bags at Taman Tun Dr Ismail market. — Picture by Chan Wai Yew

PETALING JAYA: About 150 Jasa Eco gift packs containing biodegradable products were distributed to the public on "No Plastic Day".
The bags were given by Wawasan TKH Holdings Bhd's subsidiary Greatpac Sdn Bhd staff and Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng at Taman Tun Dr Ismail market.

Greatpac has created the Jasa Eco brand biodegradable containers, plates and cutlery since February this year.


The company is the first to successfully produce a completely biodegradable and environment-friendly product for food packaging in Malaysia.

"We are targeting the hawkers to use our products," said Greatpac senior manager Douglas Tan.

"Compared with the normal styrofoam boxes, which costs 11 sen each, a biodegradable Jasa Eco packet costs only 5 to 6 sen."


Jasa Eco products are made from corn starch, palm and sugarcane fibre.

Biodegradable foam food packaging an alternative to styrofoam

By TAN KARR WEI
karrwei@thestar.com.my
Photo by SHAHRUL FAZRY ISMAIL

CUSTOMERS doing their Saturday morning shopping at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail wet market in Kuala Lumpur last week were greeted with samples of biodegradable food packaging.

“We want people to know that there are alternatives in the market for styrofoam products. We all have a responsibility towards the environment. Whenever people don’t bring their own containers, biodegradable ones can be provided,” said Douglas Tan, Greatpac Sdn Bhd senior manager, who handles the company’s Jasa Eco biodegradable foam products.

He said the Jasa Eco foam takeaway containers and plates were similar in consistency as regular styrofoam containers and were oil-and water-proof.

The difference is that they are broken down at a quicker rate after they are disposed.


Here you go: Tan handing out reusable bags with biodegradable foam products to customers at the Taman Tun wet market.

“Regular products may take more than 500 years to break down because they repel microbes but our products will break down between two to five years, which is a vast improvement,” he said.

In terms of costs, Tan said that each piece of takeaway container costs about 5sen more than the regular foam ones, which costs about 5sen each.

“The amount has a small impact on customers but a big impact on the environment as we need to combat the waste problem. We introduced our product in Penang and the response is very encouraging,” he said.

Besides marketing their products to hawkers and commercial food businesses, Tan said that their products were now available at selected hypermarkets and those interested could also purchase it directly from them.

The company also produces a range of utensils like forks and spoons that were made from a corn starch resin instead of plastic.

For more information, visit www.jasa-eco.com

Bioplastics, Industry and Green Technology

This is the transcript of the interview I did with Joanne Lim from EXPOMAL, the organisers of IGEM 2011 and my thoughts on Green Technology today.


1. How would you describe the green tech (GT) you are involved in? What is it? What makes it green and how does it impact the environment?

I am involved in a field called bioplastics, an innovation which basically moves away from traditional plastics. Bioplastics can be divided into 3 categories, treated plastic, biobased, and compostable. The treated plastic category is where we take traditional plastic and add an organic additive which would enable plastic to biodegrade naturally when disposed in a landfill environment.

As for biobased plastics, the material is derived from a renewable resource, in our case it is corn starch, which is then mixed with conventional plastic. By doing so, we are able to reduce the carbon footprint of our product by up to 50%. This is especially helpful for countries that incinerate their waste and seek to reduce their carbon emissions. Finally, there are the compostable products, where they would naturally compost in an industrial composting facility in 180 days.

2. When did your interest in this area start?

Working for a company that manufactures disposable food and packaging beverage products, we see our products being used on a daily basis. Slowly, it begins to sink in how plastic much we actually use and there is a need to make a change, in order for the business to be sustainable both financially and towards the environment. So in 2009, we decided to embark on a journey to find an alternative, and we developed a partnership with a bioplastic supplier from China. So in November 2009, JASA Eco was born.

3. How did you develop the product/company from an idea to a commercial viability?

The product range we conceived was a relatively straightforward one. People use plates, bowls and cutlery all the time, so the first step was to do for a direct replacement, by introducing our first range which was the biobased range of product. We were looking for something more commercially viable, using the green aspects of the product as an unique selling point. However, development of the product, especially in Malaysia, is no mean feat as the general public still has a certain amount of apathy towards eco-friendly products, especially when they come at a premium. Along with our suppliers who double up as our partners, we have persevered and slowly but surely opportunities presented themselves. With plastic prices linked to world oil prices, the relative stability of bioplastic pricing is a great selling point for those who want to bring their spending under control. Now we have enquiries stemming out of the United States, Brazil and Australia for our product, which has been extremely positive.

4. Did anyone (govt/organization/resource centre) assist you in making this happen? If yes, please share with us who and how they helped.

We did not receive any government assistance. We had applied for funding through KeTTHA, MITI and MIDA to no avail.

5. Ball-park estimate on your investment so far?

From 2009 to date, we have spent between RM1.5 to RM2 million for the research and development of the product, advertising and promotion, press launches, Capital Expenditure, modification and man hours on the project.


6. What would be a successful ROI for you? Is it in terms of monetary value or market outreach?

There are two things that I would like to see. First would be the acceptance of our products into the mainstream market. Secondly, it would be that bioplastics grow to take up a substantial portion of our turnover, as more and more people make that transition. The period we are looking at would be 5 years, meaning that by 2014, we should have successfully recovered our investment and grown to the business to a stage where our bioplastic sales would equal or exceed our plastic sales.

7. How do you see the growth of GT in your industry sector?

Green technology is growing rapidly in our industry. Obviously, it is still not a fair fight as compared with plastic, but with bioplastics posting a 20% year on year growth, the future of bioplastics is certainly looking up.

8. From the time you started till now, how would you assess your competitors? Are there more players in the market now?

We believe that we would have an advantage as we started the process much earlier than our competitors. The bioplastic market is not like the plastic market, in the sense it is not a commodity product. It is a specialized market which requires specialized knowledge.

Despite this, some other competitors have merely tried to be opportunistic and market normal plastic products as bioplastic to dupe the buying public. In respect of this, the enforcement for biodegradable or eco-friendly products must improve, especially in Malaysia, in order for eco-friendly products to have a genuine opportunity to survive. Yes, it would be accurate to say that there are more players in the international bioplastics market, but whether or not they are genuine is left to be seen.

9. What do you need to take this innovation/endeavour to the next level?

Obviously, the first thing we need is for the public to respond positively to our product and take a pro-active role to ensure bioplastics can survive. Despite all the environmental arguments for the propagation of bioplastics, we still live in a market economy reality, where the consumers are king. Environmental legislation and the lead from governments and corporate businesses must be the key forces to drive the demand for these products, including introducing incentives to the public and companies to use green products. Regulation must be tight, like in the European Union or the United States, in order to protect the consumer against fraudulent claims or product misrepresentation.

Naturally the other thing which would help is direct funding from the federal government in the form of grants for research and development, not merely soft loans which banks would have to provide the majority of financing. R&D is essential for product development and finding new ways to ensure that we are able to develop the technology further and make it more economically viable for the market to afford. This would ensure long term and sustainable growth for the eco-friendly product market.

10. How do you think the GT Ministry in Malaysia can improve on their role in assisting innovators/entrepreneurs like you?

Despite Green Technology Funds and the like promised by the Prime Minister, I hope that the GT Ministry would be able to see that the companies which require funding to further their businesses are not merely start ups, but businesses which are currently engaged in producing other products, but using the profits and proceeds to fund green technology initiatives. I believe that you should not simply throw money to any kind of idea just because it’s ‘Green’ but really it should go towards workable, marketable products which can be successfully commercialized. It is about the small players as well, not just for the solar panel and wind turbine makers of the world. Bioplastics can be used over such a wide range of applications, but its true potential can be unlocked with appropriate backing and funding.

Additionally, the ministry should propose to parliament to pass environmental legislation which promotes the public and industry to use green products and services, as this is in the interests of businesses going forward, in order to become a more sustainable, greener country as a whole.

11. What would your advice be to companies/individuals who are keen to pursue GT as a viable commercial business niche?


Green Technology is an exciting new venture for any company, and it is one which is steadily growing. However, if you are to do it yourself, make sure you have enough financial backing, the right people and partners to help with your research and product development. You should have a good idea about the market which you would have to market it in and also assess your risk of going in. A lot of money would be spent on promotion and education to enable the market to see the value of the product. On top of this, the products must be price competitive. Patience is the name of the game, and this is a long term initiative, and to approach it as a quick source of revenue generation would be a grave mistake.

12. What have been your greatest challenges so far? In your darkest moments, what was the driving factor to persist in this line?

Since the whole concept is a new one, although I am technically selling cutlery, plates and bowls, it is not so simple. Challenges crop up at every corner and smooth sailing is hardly an option. Because of the additional cost and the amount of international legislation which regulates green products, buyers are normally reluctant to commit.

The greatest challenge is really when it comes down to selling the product. You have to go through piles of information, test reports and then when you think you have given the customer all the information they require, they hesitate to decide because they are skeptical it can sell.

There are long periods where you feel you are running around and getting nowhere fast and where a deal can take over 12 months to conclude. However, despite all of this, optimism can be found when we look into the market. Change is happening, although at a slower pace than you hope.

Nevertheless, you need to have the drive within you, and the passion to make the change for the good of the industry and for the good of the environment. If you do not believe that you are able to make a positive impact on the environment and if you do not genuinely want to initiate change, going into green business is a challenge.


13. In your opinion, which country is the leader in GT?

The region of the globe which is showing the highest promise in Green Technology would be the European Union, and I can single out Germany as the country which is the most progressive in making the change. Other countries who’s efforts are commendable are Canada, Switzerland and even the Maldives, the little island state which was the first country in the world to become carbon neutral.

14. How do you think Malaysia can achieve world recognition as a leader in GT innovation?

I believe the first step is to take it seriously. Despite a dedicated ministry and the prime minister’s announcements, there is so little progress in this country with respect to Green Technology. If the Government never makes it a priority, there will be a constant reluctance for industry to change. Unfortunately, we cannot rely on companies or the public to safeguard the interests of the environment.

For years, NGOs have been screaming at the top of their lungs for change to take place, but change can only take place if the government implements the infrastructure and enforces their use. We are so privileged to live in a country with 500 million year old rainforest, but tragically our major cities are covered with smog. When I drive down the highway and see a lorry billowing out black smoke which has been approved by Puspakom, I believe the government is more interested in the money and just pays lip service to the environment.

We need new waste management projects, recycling initiatives, compost facilities, reforestation activities, stopping development on virgin rainforest and introducing heavy fines and penalties for open burning and littering. We have to move away from petroleum based industries, step away from coal and oil to generate electricity, finance alternative renewable energy projects, introduce safe and green public transport, introduce incentives to develop and market green technology, and legislation forcing companies to cut their carbon footprint. Only then can we stand up and say we are making in-roads to being a world leading in Green Technology. It would be fair to say, we have a long way to go.


15. Are you excited about the future?

The future of Green Technology is certainly very exciting, but what I would hope for is more support. We want to make a change in the world for the better, so our future generations can inherit a world which is clean, green and beautiful instead of a gigantic garbage dump as it seems to be turning into now. What the future holds is uncertain, but I am quietly optimistic people will begin to wake up to reality.