Products include petroleum products, industrial gases, oleochemicals, soaps, detergents and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, inorganic chemicals, paints, agricultural chemicals and fertilisers.

Petroleum Products
Given its rich oil and gas resources, Malaysia's petroleum products sector, including petrochemicals and natural gas, has grown into a major export industry.

Petrochemicals
Malaysia produces a wide variety of petrochemicals that are in demand worldwide. These include:

• Polyvinyl chloride resins (PVC)
  
• Polystrene resion (GPPS/HIPS/EPS)
  
• Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
  
• Styrene acrylonitrile (SAN)
  
• Polyethylene resins (PE)
  
• Polypropolene resins (PP)
  
• Polyethylene terephtalate resin (PET)
  
• Ethylene
  
• Propylene
  
• Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)
  
• Methanol
  
• Ammonia
  
• Urea
  
• Dioctyl phtalate (DOP)
  
• Maleic anhydride
  
• Purified Terephthalic acid (PTA)
  
• Methylmethacrylate copolymers (MBS)
  
• Styrene monomer
  
• Acrylic acid and esters
  
• Benzene, toulene and xylene
  
• Polyester copolymers
  

Natural Gas
Malaysia has substantial natural gas resources, which are mainly exported as LNG (liquefied natural gas). Natural gas is also used as feedstock for power generation and for the petrochemical industry in the form of ethane, propane, butane and condenses.

Oleochemicals
Malaysia is one of the world's leading oleochemical producers and exporters, capitalising on its competitiveness, innovation and productivity in palm oil-based products. Oleochemicals produced in Malaysia have capture 17% of the world market and consist of:
Basic Oleochemicals-

• Fatty acids
  
• Fatty alcohols
  
• Fatty esters
  

Oleochemical Derivatives-

• Fatty amines
  
• Amides
  
• Stearates
  
• Oleates
  
• Food emulsifiers
  
• Plasticisers/stabilisers
  
• Sulphonates/sulphates
  
• Soap noodles
  

Soap, Detergent, Cosmetics and Toilet Preparations
Malaysia is one of the world's leading producers of high quality soap noodles. Soap manufacturing uses palm oil or palm-based fatty acids and glycerine, a major industrial product from Malaysia's palm oil industry which ranks first in global exports. Shampoo and conditioners, hair care products, perfumes and cosmetics are just some of the products formulated, mixed and produced in Malaysia. The success of these products also owes much to the easy availability of high quality palm oil industrial products such as fatty acids, esters and glycerin, all of which are essential ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products.

Inorganic Chemicals
Exports of inorganic chemicals include hydrochloric acid, sodium silicate, phosphoric acid and titanium dioxide are widely accepted by overseas industries.

Other inorganic chemicals manufactured locally include:

• zinc oxide
  
• zinc dust
  
• phosphor
  
• ferric chloride
  
• polyaluminium chloride
  
• calcium nitrate
  
• barium sulphate
  
• potassium carbonate
  
• amorphous silica
  
• potassium hydroxide
  
• activated colloidal calcium carbonate
  

Industrial Gases
Oxygen, liquid nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, acetylene, argon and nitrous oxide are some of the industrial gases produced in Malaysia. These gases are supplied as feedstock to the steel, fatty acids and petrochemicals industries.

Paint and paint products
Paint, varnish, shellac, lacquer and thinner are the core products in this sector. Raw materials like alkyd resins, acrylic resins, vinyl acetates, calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, zinc dust, zinc oxide and kaolin are produced locally. Paint and paint products produced for export include emulsion paint, water-based paint, marine paint, aluminium paint, bituminous paint, gloss paint/finishing coats, under coat, prepared lacquer, varnish, shellac, wood preservative, paint remover, thinner, primer and distemper.

Agricultural Chemicals
Traditionally a mixing and blending or formulation operations, agricultural chemicals exported are principally fertilisers and pesticides.

Pharmaceuticals
Malaysian pharmaceutical products focus on both western-style pharmaceuticals and traditional formulations. Drugs manufactured in Malaysia comprise mainly analgesics, antacids, diuretics, antibiotics and anti-histamines in the form of tablets, capsules, drops, powders, creams, ointments, injections, syrups, opthalmic and nasal preparations. Traditional or alternative formulations include herbal health supplements in the form of dried or fermented herbs such as Eurycoma longifolia Jack (tongkat ali), Orthosiphon stamineus (misai kucing) Centella asiatica (pegaga) and Ocimum sanctum (selasih) as well as ocean resources like the famed "gamat" or sea cucumber.

Developments
As part of a continous improvement process, Malaysian chemical producers constantly work towards meeting existing and new "green" guidelines imposed by key export markets like the European Union and Japan.

In line with meeting ecolabelling requirements, Malaysian manufacturers are working towards phasing out chemical substances such as cadmium, lithium and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from electrical and electronic equipment. Malaysian producers are also working towards fulfilling Japan's new green product guidelines covering the designated labelling of nickel cadmium batteries, lead acid batteries, and PVC in building materials such as pipes, floor coverings and wallpaper.

As a mark of their commitment towards environmental conservation, many Malaysian chemical companies have eradicated the use of CFCs in aerosol products, which was identified as a major contributor to greenhouse gases and global warming. In the area of R&D, many Malaysian companies and brands are constantly investing in new product development for items like adhesives, paints and petrochemicals. Significantly, Malaysia produced a world first with the Silverfil mercury-free dental amalgam, a major contribution to global dental health.

Standards

• ISO9000 and ISO14000 certification
• Malaysian chapter of the global Responsible Care Programme, which has more than 40 country members
• 50 Malaysian-based companies manage their operations according to the 10 guiding principles and 6 codes of management practices of the Responsible Care Programme. These codes are Distribution, Community Awareness and Emergency Response, Pollution Prevention, Process Safety, Employee Health and Safety and Product Stewardship Code.
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations
• USA's FDA Food and Drug Administration regulations.
  

Contacts

Malaysian Plastic Manufacturers Association (MPMA)
Tel : 603-7876 3027
Fax : 603-7876 8352
Website : www.mpma.org.my

Chemical Industries Council of Malaysia (CICM)
Tel: 603-6276 1211
Fax: 603-6277 6714
Website : www.cicm.org.my

Malaysian Paints Manufacturers Association (MPMA)
Tel: 603-3441 5333
Fax: 603-3442 7223

Malaysian Oleochemical Manufacturers Group
Tel: 603-6276 1211
Fax: 603-6277 6714

Malaysian Petrochemicals Association (MPA)
Tel: 603-6276 1211
Fax: 603-6277 6714