EcoCeres Inaugurates Malaysia’s First Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant in Johor

EcoCeres Inc., a Hong Kong-based renewable fuels producer, has officially inaugurated Malaysia’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility in Pasir Gudang, Johor, marking a major milestone for the country’s renewable energy sector and strengthening Hong Kong’s role in Asia’s green energy transition.

The state-of-the-art plant, which was successfully commissioned and started up in October 2025, produces Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and Renewable Naphtha, with a combined maximum production capacity of 420,000 tonnes per year. The facility positions EcoCeres among the world’s leading SAF producers and highlights Hong Kong’s contribution as a regional hub for green innovation and sustainable finance.

The inauguration ceremony was hosted by Dr. Peter Lee, Chairman of Towngas and Principal of Full Vision Capital, a founding investor in EcoCeres. The event was officiated by YB Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad, Malaysia’s Minister of Plantation and Commodities, and attended by Eddie Cheung, JP, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, along with EcoCeres Co-Chairmen Alan Chan and James Tam, and CEO Matti Lievonen.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Lee said EcoCeres’ journey from a Hong Kong laboratory to a global SAF producer demonstrates how regional sustainability efforts can contribute to global climate solutions. He highlighted the importance of supportive government policies and strong partnerships in accelerating the energy transition.

Eddie Cheung noted that the Johor SAF plant reflects Hong Kong’s vision of achieving carbon neutrality while serving as a “super-connector” that enables the deployment of sustainable technologies across the region.

EcoCeres CEO Matti Lievonen said the Johor facility represents a major step in strengthening the company’s regional platform and Malaysia’s renewable fuel industry. He added that the plant supports Malaysia’s net-zero ambitions while enhancing Hong Kong’s strategic position as a centre for financing and scaling sustainable energy projects.

The facility aligns with Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap and National Agri-commodity Policy (DAKN) 2030, supporting the country’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 through waste-to-fuel solutions. By converting waste and residue feedstocks into low-carbon fuels, EcoCeres aims to meet rising demand from the aviation, maritime, transportation, mining and chemical sectors.

Malaysia’s Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Dr. Noraini Ahmad, said the government supports the project as it creates high-value jobs, reduces emissions and strengthens Malaysia’s position in the green economy.

In addition to the Johor plant, EcoCeres operates a renewable fuels facility in Zhangjiagang, China, which also produces SAF and HVO. Together, the company’s facilities bring its total global renewable fuels capacity to approximately 770,000 tonnes per year, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as the headquarters of an integrated regional renewable fuels platform in Asia.