KUALA LUMPUR: As the largest producer of rare-earth materials outside China, Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd is presenting Malaysia with an opportunity to be at the industry’s leading edge by developing the downstream sector.

This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Lynas Malaysia and Mara Corp Sdn Bhd to collaborate on several key projects, including attracting downstream industries and downstream customers to Malaysia.

Other projects include education and training initiatives in Malaysia, commercialisation of neutralisation underflow (NUF) residues from the Lynas Malaysia plant, including making soil conditioner (fertiliser) products for Malay farmers, and design and fabrication works related to the Lynas 2025 project.

Mara Corp chairman Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi said the collaboration marked the beginning of greater opportunities for highly-skilled graduates, research and development, and more downstream industries.

“We are fortunate to have a key component of this supply chain already operating in Malaysia, and it is time to develop opportunities to further enhance Malaysia’s green and high-tech industries in line with the government’s new Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, ” he said at the MoU signing ceremony here yesterday.

Also present were Lynas Malaysia vice-president Datuk Mashal Ahmad, Lynas Corp CEO Amanda Lacaze and Australian High Commissioner Andrew Goledzinowski.

Mashal, who is also Lynas Malaysia managing director, said it had always been Lynas’s objective to develop more downstream industries since it established its presence in the country 12 years ago.

He said in the downstream sector, factories might invest billions of ringgit or create thousands of new jobs, but most importantly, there was a need for technology development. — Bernama

https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2019/11/05/lynas-teams-up-with-mara-corp-to-develop-downstream-sector