IGEM 2011 harvests a crop of green collaborations

A total of 12 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed between various parties during the recently concluded 2nd International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM 2011), which drew some 68,000 visitors to Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre over four days from September 7th to 10th. 

General Electric International Inc (GE) and Tune Hotels signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) to identify opportunities in energy efficiency and cost savings in Tune Hotel’s operations globally. The MoC was signed by GE ASEAN president Stuart Dean and Tune Hotels group CEO Mark Lankester. The collaboration is expected to help Tune Hotels towards achieving relevant eco-building certifications such as with Malaysia’s Green Building Index, Singapore’s BCA Green Mark and the US Green Building Council’s LEED rating. 

Malaysian light emitting diode (LED) manufacturer ItraMAS and SIRIM Berhad signed an MoU to jointly create an advanced composite material for thermal management systems that will go into ItraMAS’s series of new products under their existing Q-RAYTM LED product line.

Malaysia Green Technology Corporation (MGTC) CEO Dr Nazily Mohd Nor disclosed that eight MoUs were signed between MGTC and other commercial entities, such as GE, as well as local and foreign academic institutions. These MoUs include the following:

• With GE: To explore green initiatives, build public awareness through a series of campaigns to promote green technology and sustainability initiatives, and share best practices and green technology development.

         GE ASEAN regional managing director of business development Rahul Gupta says they will look at projects involving the design, planning and implementation of a new government certification or standards for green technology development, such as green buildings and professional certification in green technology with a focus in developing human capital. 

         GE and MGTC will also explore the feasibility of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Malaysia. The initiative will entail joint lobbying to raise public and government awareness on the EV framework, as well as running EV pilot tests in several locations across Malaysia.

• With Akademi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM): To train and develop human capital in the field of energy audits and carbon emission and reduction. The collaboration will also develop learning and awareness programmes for schools, institutions of higher learning and special interest groups.

• With Universiti Teknologi Mara’s Malaysia Institute of Transport (UiTM-MITRAN): To work in areas of research and consultancy, and provide training for logistics practitioners, score cards for eco-driving, an economic index for the “sustainable fuel – consumer relationship”, and evaluating the impact of subsidies on fuel pricing and infrastructure for natural gas vehicles (NGV).

• With Rosenheim University: To build a joint Centre of Excellence for Advanced Building Materials in Kuala Lumpur, where research will be carried out on the suitability of some new materials for tropical climates.

• With Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM): To develop a Centre of Excellence for green technology with a focus on energy, building, water and wastewater, transportation, manufacturing, information technology, agriculture and recycling. 

The IGEM exhibition and conference is an annual event. IGEM 2012 will be held next year from October 10th to 13th in Kuala Lumpur.