Sarawak forest, timber officials in benchmarking visit to Japan research institute

KUCHING (April 26): A Sarawak delegation made a benchmarking visit Thursday to the Sumitomo Forestry Tsukuba Research Institute in Tsukuba, Japan.

Led by Sarawak Forest Department (SFD) director Datu Hamden Mohammad, the delegation comprised representatives from the department, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), and Sarawak Timber Association (STA).

SFD in a statement described Sumitomo Forestry as a leading institute in forestry technology, tissue culture techniques, bio-refinery, and research and development on carbon storage and nature.

“The delegation was briefed on research conducted by the institute on enhancing the strength and durability of wooden materials and improving the performance of wood-based boards,” read the statement.

On April 23, the delegates visited the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) where they participated in scheduled programmes including presentation on various wood research conducted by FFPRI, demonstrational experiment of wood structure, and a visit to an experimental wooden house.

“This visit is significant for the stakeholders in the timber industry in the pursuit of adopting Industrial Revolution 4.0 technology, with emphasis made to the use of automation and digital technology,” said SFD.

It said that with Japan as the main importer of wood pallets, Sarawak sees great potential in wood pallets and the engineered wood industry to generate green energy.

This, added the department, is in line with the Sarawak government’s green energy policy and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s green economy vision.