KULIM, September 21 – The world-leading medical product and solutions company, Mölnlycke of Sweden has just opened a new surgical glove plant in Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah, with sustainable production as its backbone. With a total investment of EUR 50 million (RM233 million), the new facility is a major milestone and part of Mölnlycke’s sustainability roadmap WeCare, to meet the healthcare manufacturing industry’s increasing demand sustainably, producing surgical gloves. The new production site, which has a land area of 29,164 sqm and building footprint of 14,620 sqm, is fully equipped with the cutting-edge automated glove production and packaging line.
With the addition of the new plant, Mölnlycke expects to create some 400 new job opportunities within the state. Mölnlycke will also increase their production capacity substantially to meet future demand on high-quality surgical gloves. The manufacturing plant is constructed in partnership with global sustainability solutions providers, ENGIE and Veolia Water Technologies. Veolia will be assisting in improving the plant’s wastewater management, effectively recycling water, and further improving the discharge quality. With Veolia’s digitalised system, water consumption is expected to be reduced to 50 per cent.
Moreover, ENGIE will be supplying the plant with its energy source by installing solar panels to power the manufacturing production and operations. In the long run, Mölnlycke is turning its commitment to net zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 into reality by running its operations in a less resource intensive way. In his welcoming address, YAB Dato’ Seri Haji Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor, Chief Minister of Kedah said, The state of Kedah is very proud to be the host of Mölnlycke’s new state-of the art factory, and in that being recognised as a state providing the right prerequisites for sustainable production of high-quality surgical gloves.
Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of MIDA welcomed the launch of Mölnlycke’s new manufacturing facility saying, “Malaysia is very honoured that Mölnlycke, who has a long-term presence in Kedah, continues to expand in the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP). The establishment of Mölnlycke’s new production facility in Malaysia is a mark of confidence in the continuous sustainable growth of the Malaysian economy and will be a boon for Malaysia to maintain its leadership position in the glove manufacturing sector. Once implemented, the company’s state-of-the-art automated plant in Malaysia which has incorporated sustainable practices, would be exporting 100 per cent of its production for the global market.
Making Malaysia part of their key value chain internationally. We are committed to supporting industry leaders like Mölnlycke and we hope to see the company grow to greater heights in the years ahead. With sustainability being a key aspect of the company’s strategic focus area, Mölnlycke endeavours to build a sustainable healthcare manufacturing ecosystem that would effectively meet the industry’s demand for high-quality surgical gloves, with minimum environmental impact. Malaysia is core to Mölnlycke’s surgical gloves business. To date, the company has three other additional factories based in the country, two of which are for the manufacturing of surgical gloves and another for packing. With business in over 100 countries worldwide, Mölnlycke entered the Malaysian market in 1990 and currently employs over 2,500 Malaysians in their network.
