Abstract: Energy generation and consumption contributes to greenhouse gas emission. Manufacturing sector in Malaysia accounts for about 40% of total energy consumption. Total amount of CO2 emissions from manufacturing industries in Malaysia was reported at 53 million metric tons in 2013. For that reason, Malaysia needs to move to a greener economy, which implies meeting development and environmental sustainability. This includes economic aspect and also activities that might cause impact to the environment. Therefore, application of green technology is a must in Malaysia. Malaysian government has been consistent in promoting green technology and practices in various sectors. Malaysia is blessed with rich natural resources and its wood based furniture industry is known to be one of the contributors to the national economy. Malaysian furniture industry is taking initiatives to enhance productivity besides addressing the needs to ‘green’ the manufacturing process. This is an important step to develop its image globally as to promote environmental friendly furniture manufacturing. Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council (MFPC) has identified three main criteria as to characterize Malaysian furniture as environmentally friendly, which includes material from sustainable sources, minimal waste generation and conformance with health and safety standards. Efforts made by Malaysian government recognized green technology as the driver of economic growth that has flourished the furniture manufacturing into global green products, thus enabling the industry to stay competitive with other major world furniture producers.
INTRODUCTION
Scientific evidence show that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human-related activities affects Earth’s climate (Leggett, 2011). Under current circumstances, avoiding the runaway climate change becomes the main vision and mission of both scientific research and international governmental and non-governmental development of climate policy. It has always been regarded sufficient to prevent climate change if the global temperature increase can be limited to 2°C over the pre-industrial average (Held and Soden, 2000; Karl and Trenberth, 2003; Lenton, 2011; Rogelj et al., 2009).
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent increases at an average rate of around 1.5% per annum from year 1970-2004. Out of this, CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels rose at the rate of nearly 2% per annum (Rogner et al., 2007). The need for energy from developing countries is more prevalent than the developed countries. Energy consumption in developing countries has grown 4 times larger over the past 30 years and is anticipated to continuously increase in coming years (Congress of the United States, 1991; Wolfram et al., 2012).
The increase of energy consumption is necessary and desirable, as energy is the main core for country’s economic growth and to improve living standards. Energy consumption of Malaysia has always been an important issue as the country moves forward to achieving status as high income nation by 2020. Based on projections, Malaysia’s electricity production is expected to rise from 87 thousand GWh in 2005 to 315 thousand GWh in 2030, in which the annual growth rate is about 3.5-4.5% (Tan et al., 2013). Out of that, the energy required by the manufacturing/industrial sector accounted 40% from total energy consumption in Malaysia. This is followed by transportation sector (38%) and residential and commercial consumption (13%) (Ponniran et al., 2012; Ramli and Munisamy, 2013).
Since early 1980s, Malaysia’s manufacturing industry has been recording tremendous growth. It contributes almost 80% of overall country’s export and Malaysia’s manufacturing industry is the 17th largest in the world (Jamil, 2014). Amongst manufacturing industries, electricity generation is the most energy intensive sector (328toe/M-RM) and generates about 0.367 T-CO2/M-RM for highest energy intensity and high carbon emission category. On the other hand, for the low energy intensity and low carbon emission category, the furniture sectors ranked the highest for the energy intensity at 50toe/M-RM and generates about 0.266T-CO2/M-RM (Chik and Rahim, 2012). This means that in order to produce 1 million Malaysian Ringgit of electricity, about 50 toe of energy was used and it generates 0.266 T-CO2 of CO2 emission.
GREEN CONCEPT FOR MALAYSIAN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
Malaysia’s government is committed to maintain, preserve and enhance its manufacturing sector through various initiatives. However, direct and indirect energy consumption contributes to CO2 emission that harms the environment. In 2013, total amount of CO2 emissions from manufacturing industries was 53 million metric tons or 20% of total CO2 emission in Malaysia (266 million metric tons) (Wahid et al., 2013; YCharts, 2014).
As manufacturing industry in Malaysia grows, the government has to ensure its trading policies and regulation are followed besides ensuring sustainability and safety of the environment. Therefore, Malaysian government is committed to reduce carbon emission up to 40% by the year 2020, compared to the carbon emission levels recorded in 2005 (ABN News, 2014). For that reason, Malaysia needs to move to a greener economy, which implies meeting development and environmental sustainability, which will take into consideration not only economic but also environmental criteria. With that in mind and also to ensure national development and improving the living standards of populations, as well as the increasing concerns on global warming issues that closely associated with CO2 emissions, the concept of ‘greening’ is currently gaining popularity among scientific research community and governments’ on policy making (Ramli and Munisamy, 2013).
Green technology (greentech) or clean technology (cleantech) is the usage of any technology related to environmental science, green chemistry, environmental monitoring and electronic devices to conserve the natural environment and resources and thus reduces the climate changes (Merseyside Connected Business Support, 2014). In Malaysia, the National Green Technology Policy, introduced in 2009, defines green technology as the development and application of products, equipment and systems used to conserve the natural environment and resources, which minimizes the negative impact of human activities (Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, 2012). The product, equipment and systems must satisfy the following criteria:
| • | Minimize the deterioration of environment |
| • | Relates with zero or low GHG emission |
| • | Not harmful to human health and promotes healthy and improved environment for all forms of life |
| • | Conserves the use of energy and natural resources and |
| • | Promotes the use of renewable resources |
The National Green Technology Policy indicates the way forward to ensure environmental sustainability besides to promote healthy business culture amongst businesses and industries for continuous economic growth.
EFFORTS TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING
Today, businesses are facing intense competition, regulatory requirements and community pressures. Thus, staying ahead and keeping up with the challenges is a daunting task and it requires concerted effort. Nevertheless, businesses could improve competitiveness by improving environmental performance to conform to environmental regulations, besides addressing customers’ environmental concern and reducing environmental impact of its product and service activities (Smith and Perks, 2010).
Promoting green technology and practices in industries is important as it leads to sustainability and helps to conserve the environment. Many businesses and other organizations realized the importance of sustainability to remain competitive in the global market. Challenges of established principles and consumers’ expectation in ensuring sustainability often includes type of products, knowledge, manufacturers’ policies and local resources (Valipoor and Ujang, 2011).
Additionally, sustainable awareness reduces organization’s climate risk, dependence on limited resources as well as improving relationship with stakeholders, investors, customers and employees (Browne and Tobin, 2013). Currently, in order to upscale environmental efforts, Malaysia emphasis on imposing and scheming the environmental load during manufacture of product (Al Khidir and Zailani, 2009). Generally, the green efforts or initiatives can be divided into four separate groups (Anbumozhi and Kanda, 2005):
| • | Broad guiding principles: This refers to having common principles and statements of intent across organizations as this is seen as first step to create policy direction and framework for action |
| • | Process based management systems: This involves creating common, structure management systems approach across organizations that highlight the production procedure regarding the management of environmental risks and issues. This would assist to identify opportunities for improvements over time. An example of a well-known process based environmental management system is the ISO 14001 |
| • | Performance based systems: This step refers to having minimum performance criteria that must be met by organizations. This system may include technical criteria, codes of conduct or best practices and other performance guidelines. An example of a voluntary program with clear performance standards is public disclosure of industrial pollution |
| • | Process-based systems with performance elements: This system refers to creating a mixture system that combines structured management system approach with specific performance requirements. Performance requirements may include existing standards or codes, development of new standard or code or through encouragement or requirement for individual companies to establish specific performance targets |
FURNITURE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA
Manufacturing sectors that incorporate green technology and practices in its production, allow them to meet sustainable environmental requirements in the future. Malaysian furniture industry is known to be innovative and efficient to ensure that it remains competitive and meets global demand. The industry has successfully transformed into an internationally recognized multi-billion ringgit industry from its initial traditional, domestic cottage-based manufacturing in 1980s (Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council, 2005).
Performance of Malaysia’s furniture manufacturing industry: In 2013, Malaysia was the eighth largest furniture exporter in the world and ranked third in Asia with the products exported to more than 180 countries around the world (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, 2011a). The success of Malaysia’s furniture industry has always associated with the abundance of natural resources i.e., rubberwood. Realizing this, the Malaysian government has set an annual growth target of 6.5% for furniture industry. This growth percentage will eventually allow the industry achieve export value of RM53 billion by the year 2020 as outlined in National Timber Industry Policy 2009-2020 (MPIC., 2009).
Economic downturn proves to be challenging to the industry, however, it remained competitive due to strong global demand for wood based furniture. Business-friendly environment also contribute to the success of the industry as the government provides tax exemption (pioneer status companies) and investment tax allowance. Coupled with good quality products and demand, Malaysian furniture industry continues its growth internationally.
Figure 1 depicts the major timber product exports from 2009-2013. The total export value of wooden furniture in 2013 amounted to RM 5.74 billion. This was the biggest export item with a share of 78.9%, followed by seats and their parts (9.3%), metal furniture (7.5%), parts of furniture (3.7%), plastic furniture (0.3%) and others (0.3%) (Malaysian Timber Council, 2013).
Green technology in furniture manufacturing: Malaysian furniture industry is taking initiatives to enhance productivity besides addressing the needs to ‘green’ the manufacturing process. This is an important step to develop its image globally and to portray Malaysian-made furniture as being sustainable.
| Fig. 1: | Malaysian Export of Major Timber Products (2009-2013), Source: Malaysian Timber Council (2013) Annual Report |
The Malaysian Furniture Industry Council (MFIC) has been promoting this agenda, with majority of its members are currently using rubberwood as raw materials for furniture production. Rubberwood was generally considered as waste about 20-30 years ago (Chen, 2011).
Furniture manufacturing companies can practice and apply green technology in its facility and manufacturing processes. This includes projects that involve solar panels for energy generation, green building and water and waste management. Producing clean power or steam supply through recovery of heat generated during manufacturing process proves to be beneficial and promote energy efficiency (Asian Legal Business, 2014). Based on that, Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council (MFPC) has highlighted 3 main criteria used to define green Malaysian furniture (Chen, 2011):
| • | Material from sustainable sources: Wood and fabric used in furniture manufacturing must be from sustainable sources. Timber must be obtained from forest areas certified under Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) or from forest plantation. Additionally, encouraging the use of palm wood from oil palm tree and rubber wood, which would otherwise be burnt or deposited on landfill that might cause air pollution |
| • | Minimal waste: Waste minimization can be achieved through good design, finishing and quality. It can also be achieved through compliance with environmental regulation and requirements. The use of water-based stains and glues, recycled carton boxes and biodegradable plastic bags promotes better use of resources |
| • | Conformance with health and safety standards: Pre-and post-treatment of timbers and the use of chemicals (for protection purposes or to increase the dimensional stability of wood based products) should be conformed to health and safety regulation and requirements. This is to avoid health risks to humans as excessive exposure to chemicals is harmful to health |
CURRENT GREEN ACTIVITIES IN MALAYSIAN FURNITURE INDUSTRY
The decrease of forest resource supply encouraged wood-based product manufacturers to explore potential resources to ensure continuous supply of raw materials (Ismail et al., 2012). A total of 80% of the furniture manufactured in Malaysia is made of rubberwood (Ministry of International Trade and Industry, 2011). Malaysian government has allocated RM 1.08 billion in 2013 national budget for the replanting of unproductive oil palm and rubber trees to ensure sufficient raw material supply for the furniture industry (PERKASA, 2013b).
In addition to addressing sustainable and green manufacturing, issues on waste management is also equally vital and it has been noted in the National Green Technology Policy. Minimizing waste generated during furniture manufacturing is important as the volume and wastage rate of particular raw material acts as an indicator of waste problems that need to be addressed. This can then be overcome by improving the process and adopting green technologies and practices. Like other industrial processes, furniture manufacturing also generates significant amount of waste from wood processing, panel production, wood preservation and from the use of paints and varnishes (European Commission, 2013).
The use of alternative raw materials other than timber for furniture production such as agricultural waste which includes rice husk, coconut trunks and oil palm biomass (trunks, empty fruit bunches and fronds), kenaf and sawdust to produce composite boards and furniture parts has heightened amongst furniture industry players. In 2012, investments of RM 339.3 million was recorded in this sub-sector (Malaysian Investment Development Authority, 2012b). Numerous research has been published on the application of oil palm biomass, kenaf and sawdust for the production of particle boards (H’ng et al., 2009, 2011a, b; Chai et al., 2011). The results are encouraging and few activities being carried out by the authorities to promote the use of particle boards made from oil palm biomass and kenaf in the furniture industry.
To enhance the utilization of waste, furniture manufacturing industries in Malaysia has been producing high-quality engineered wood products using agricultural waste. Natural fiber materials from agriculture waste such as oil palm biomass (oil palm trunks and empty fruit bunches), coconut trunk fiber and rice husks are often used for the production of briquettes, particle boards and fiber boards, which are used in the manufacture of furniture (Malaysian Investment Development Authority, 2012a).
The use of palm wood as an alternative source of furniture manufacture is gaining popularity. Furniture manufacturers are currently experimenting the use of palm wood as side panels and for the surface of tables, chairs and cabinets. The use of palm wood prevents conventional wood obtained from forest trees felled as source of timber. Besides that, oil palm empty fruit bunches are also known as an alternative to produce value-added products such as particle boards and flatboards due to their physical properties (PERKASA, 2013a; Nasrin et al., 2008). Nevertheless, the use of palm wood poses challenges as there is insufficient technical knowledge of the characteristics and application of the wood. Furniture manufacturer must also deal with the softness of the palm wood due to the loosely bound nature of oil palm trunk fiber and long kiln drying process (Malaysian Palm Oil Council, 2012).
Apart from that, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) through many years of hard work has developed, produced and patented a green technology for drying rubber wood using high temperature drying system (HTD). This excludes the need of chemicals used for the rubberwood prior to drying. Furthermore, the technology enhances stability of rubberwood after drying and able to reduce processing cycle time by more than 75%. This technology is one of the solutions to Malaysia’s furniture manufacturers and sawn timber trade industry over the stringent regulation and requirement for exporting eco-friendly product, imposed by developed countries on the use of borates as wood treatment chemical to treat rubberwood. European Union (EU) has classified borates as “Repro-toxic Category” under the Dangerous Substance Directive 67/548. To diversify the use of HTD technology FRIM will conduct research on timber species such as Acacia and oil palm lumbers (Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 2013).
PROMOTING GREEN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
Malaysian government recognized green technology as the driver for economic growth. It provides vast opportunities and potentials in terms of economic generation, technology innovation and wealth creation. Green technology has vast applications across different sectors such as energy production, manufacturing, services and transportation. Application of green technology can create opportunities for economic growth by contributing to fiscal consolidation, enhancing productivity achieved through efficiency in the use of natural resources and creating new markets for green goods and services (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, 2011b).
Providing conducive environment for green technology development has been highlighted as one of the main thrust in the National Green Technology Policy. The introduction and implementation of economic instruments with the support of monetary and fiscal measures is essential to heighten green technology development in Malaysia (Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, 2012).
Various incentives are made available to targeted industry players to intensify potential producers and users of green technology. This includes eligible companies for activities related to green technology in furniture manufacturing such as utilization of renewable energy, energy conservation/energy efficiency, reduction of greenhouse gas emission, import and purchase of machinery components, waste recycling environmental protection storages and treatment and disposal of toxic/hazardous waste.
Financial and incentive supports are offered in terms of soft loans, pioneer status, tax and import duty exemptions, which are managed by agencies such as Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia). The former, MIDA is the principle agency that focuses on the promotion of manufacturing and service sectors in Malaysia. The function of MIDA include but not limited to create opportunities and good environment for companies to invest in manufacturing and service sectors, besides assisting implantation of projects as it provides information on investment opportunities and facilitate companies, which are looking for joint venture partners (Malaysian Investment Development Authority, 2013). The latter, GreenTech Malaysia is an organization under the purview of Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, 2012. Its purpose is to catalyze green technology deployment in Malaysia as an engine of socio-economic growth (Malaysian Green Technology Corporation, 2013).
Table 1 lists some the various incentives provided for green technology development and can be applied in furniture manufacturing. The incentives provided in the table below might be changed according to any new rules and regulations imposed by the government from time to time.
| Table 1: | Some of the incentives for green technology development in Malaysia |
| Source: Ministry of energy, green technology and water (2012) | |
CONCLUSION
Environment related issues are becoming more prevalent among public and many have now realized the need and importance of its protection, conservation and care. Furthermore, industries and companies have already started to act on the green measures with the aim to incorporate green practice in its manufacturing processes and to create sustainable products. With government efforts and the initiatives, the Malaysian furniture industry has taken steps for a better, clean and ‘green’ furniture manufacturing that can be further developed to ensure its competitiveness in the global market.