DONG inks waste-to-energy tech agreement with Malaysian firm

Malaysian waste management company Cenviro will be using DONG Energy’s waste-to-energy technology after signing an agreement with the Danish firm.

DONG Energy’s technology is called REnescienece. This uses enzymes to convert food waste and organics household waste constituents into biogas.

Thomas Dalsgaard, executive vice president in DONG Energy, said: "Malaysia is a very interesting market for our technology, as there's a growing need for exploiting the resources in the increasing waste volumes. A REnescience plant can produce large quantities of biogas from the very wet Malaysian household waste."

Today, the majority of Malaysian waste ends up in landfill sites, which is a huge environmental challenge, and none of the resources are utilised.

At the same time, waste volumes are increasing – in Malaysia and worldwide. According to the World Bank, waste volumes worldwide will have increased by 70% by 2025 compared to 2012. There is therefore a need to find new solutions to handle the waste.

Danish competences

The Danish Minister for Environment and Food, Esben Lunde Larsen, attended the signing of the agreement. He was in Malaysia to talk with his Malaysian counterpart about Denmark's experience and competences within the area of waste management.

Lunde Larsen said: "Denmark has been working closely with Malaysia for a number of years on environmental and waste legislation. I'm pleased that preliminary steps are now being taken towards commercial cooperation.

“Malaysia is working hard to grow its economy in an eco-friendly manner, and this agreement will hopefully help bring Malaysia closer to this goal."

 According to DONG, waste is increasingly seen as a resource rather than a problem.  Denmark has unique competences in the field of waste management, DONG said in a statement.

Karin Klitgaard, environmental policy director at the Confederation of Danish Industry, said: "Waste can be recycled and used in new products.

"It can also be converted to fuel, heat or other types of energy. Modern waste management not only helps improve the environment; it also helps us utilise a valuable resource which can create development and contribute to increasing wealth."