Serdang, September 6, 2023 – The Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), in collaboration with the Housing Research Centre (HRC), received an honorable visit from TS Asia Ventures Sdn Bhd, led by the company's President, Mr. Mohd Zahid Bin Lan, accompanied by his team members, Mr. Nor Ezlie Azram Nordin, Ms. Norizan Ahmad, and Ms. Nurfarhana Adzhar. TS Asia Ventures Sdn Bhd was warmly welcomed by Prof. Ir. Dr. Ts. Khalina Abdan, the Director of INTROP, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Farah Aznieta Abd Aziz, the Director of HRC UPM. This nearly 3-hour meeting took place at the Housing Research Centre (HRC), Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Prof. Ir. Dr. Ts. Khalina Abdan, the Director of INTROP, chaired the first meeting with TS Asia Ventures Sdn Bhd. This meeting marked a continuation of the initial discussions between the company and INTROP during the recent LKTN Customer Engagement Day. TS Asia Ventures is a company involved in telecommunication projects as well as the construction of public servant housing and hospitals. They expressed keen interest in the potential of kenaf in the market as a product and additive in the construction industry, particularly in Industrial Building System (IBS) technology.

The official meeting between both parties focused on the commercial introduction of kenaf, specifically its commercial potential and production, as well as its use in industries, particularly in construction, automotive, and biocomposite technology. Discussions also emphasized research findings conducted at UPM, especially at INTROP, in areas related to the use and production of kenaf-based products for research and commercial purposes since 2004.

In conclusion, the discussions provided TS Asia Ventures with a clear understanding of the research and studies related to kenaf-based products and their potential for future research. INTROP warmly welcomes future collaborations with the industry, offering opportunities for INTROP researchers to contribute their knowledge to the industry and society, while also fostering networking and knowledge development at UPM.

Date of Input: 21/09/2023 | Updated: 21/09/2023 | amallina.osman