PENANG, 22 October 2024 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through the School of Biological Sciences, recently organised the 19th International Symposium on Biopolymers 2024 (ISBP 2024).

With the theme “Towards Safe and Sustainable Biopolymers for Our Future,” the symposium was organised in collaboration with the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM) and the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (BEC), and held at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, YB Chang Lih Kang, who officiated the programme, praised the international scientific community for their efforts in advancing biopolymer research.

In his speech, he said, “The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) recognises the importance of collaboration between the public sector, academia, and industry in driving forward new innovations.

“Symposium such as this will bridge the gap where we have academia like USM working closely with industry players as well as government agencies to advance biopolymer research,” he added.

Lih Kang also mentioned, under the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 (NBP 2.0), biopolymers play a crucial role in addressing environmental challenges and advancing our national sustainability goals, especially in support of the circular economy.

“I would like to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible work of scientists, researchers, and innovators at the forefront of biotechnology, particularly in biopolymer research, and I am immensely proud that Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), as part of its APEX initiative, continues to play a leading role in biopolymer research in Malaysia.

“USM has been instrumental in advancing biopolymer research and translating it into real-world applications, positioning Malaysia as a leader in the global scientific community,” said Lih Kang. 

USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Dr. Habibah A Wahab who represented the USM Vice-Chancellor said, “I applaud the initiative of combining the trifecta of academia, industry, and policymakers to explore the complex challenges surrounding biopolymers and to drive forward innovation towards a more sustainable world, which is aligned with the values and goals of USM.”

Chairman of the symposium, Professor Dr. K. Sudesh Kumar, highlighted the significance of biopolymers in achieving sustainability.

He further remarked, “Biopolymers derived from renewable biological resources represent a significant advancement in our quest for sustainable solutions, serving as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic polymers that are crucial for reducing our carbon footprint and advancing global sustainability agendas.”

Also present at the symposium were the CEO of Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak; Director of Agro-Biotechnology Institute, NIBM, Dr. Seetha King; academicians, researchers, and university officials.

The four-day international symposium was being held for the first time in Southeast Asia, and USM was given the privilege to host it in Penang, Malaysia.  

It gathered 300 participants from 33 countries, included representatives from companies, agencies, and research institutes from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, and Spain, among others.

ISBP 2024 served as an important platform for global collaboration and knowledge sharing regarding biopolymers, including the latest development in biobased and biodegradable plastics, industrial production and application, as well as policy matters.

The symposium also featured two concurrent mini-workshops, one on marine biodegration of polymer, with distinguished scientists sharing their insights into cutting edge research on biodegradable plastics designed for marine environments; and the SATREPS Oil Palm Trunk (OPT) Project's Mini Symposium titled "From SATREPS to Social Implementation: The First Step Towards Sustainable Palm Plantation Management and Palm Biomass Utilization" that focussed on the oil palm biomass industry and the utilization of oil palm trunks.

The symposium concluded with a dedicated Industry Day event co-organised by GO!PHA (Global Organization for PHA), a coalition of over 70 stakeholders, focusing on regulatory landscapes, investment opportunities, and success stories from the bioplastics sector. 

Text: Shafinaz Md. Ismail & Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa