Source: The Star
BUTTERWORTH: Texchem Resources Bhd subsidiary Acumen Scientific Sdn Bhd plans to increase its investment for its science laboratory in Prai Industrial Estate to RM10mil next year.
Speaking after the official opening of the laboratory, Texchem chairman Tan Sri Fumihiko Konishi said the expansion next year would involve increasing the floor space to 16,000 sq ft from 8,000 sq ft presently, and equipping the premises with new equipment.
“We have so far invested about RM4.5mil for the laboratory,” he said.
The main drivers of growth for the laboratory business would come from the food, electronics and industrial consultancy sectors.
(Right) TRB's president Jeffrey Lee and TRB chairman Tan Sri Fumihiko Konishi (left)
“Europe requires all electronic products from Malaysia to be tested to ensure that the raw materials used do not contain hazardous chemical materials.
“Thus a lot multinational corporations send their products to us to test before they are shipped to Europe,” he said.
Acumen also did a lot of consulting work on environmental monitoring for companies, including monitoring employees’ exposure to hazardous chemicals, Konishi said.
Meanwhile, Acumen managing director Ridzuan Ismail said the company was exploring venturing into toxicology testing.
“This involves testing hazardous substances in medical and cosmetic products. Initial investment for a toxicology laboratory is likely to be between RM40mil and RM50mil,” he said.
Acumen was now planning to set up a laboratory in the Klang Valley in the third or fourth quarter of the year, he said. For 2010, Acumen targeted to achieve a RM4mil turnover, he added. The company recorded revenue of RM2.8mil last year.