Job well done: IOI Corporation Berhad chief executive officer Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor (right) receiving the Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award 2014-2015 award on behalf of IOI Acidchem from Dr Ahmad Zahid. Looking on are (from left) Business Council for Sustainability and Responsibility Malaysia (BCSRM) honorary president Datuk Kok Wee Kiat, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award organising committee chairman Tan Sri Mustafa Mansur.

IOI Oleochemical Industries Berhad Executive Director Mr Tan Kean Hua receiving the Penang State Award for IOI Acidchem (being the Best assessed company in the state).

IOI Acidchem Sdn Bhd, formerly known as Acidchem International Sdn Bhd, shines with its haul of recognitions at the environmental-themed Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award ceremony. The wholly-owned subsidiary of IOI Oleochemical Industries Bhd, which belongs to the IOI Group, received the highest accolade in environment management by winning the prestigious Challenge Trophy which is presented to the overall awardee with the highest performance. The award was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on 14 December 2015. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was also present. The Challenge Trophy has only been selectively accorded and past winners are multi-national companies and giant conglomerates in the electronics, oil and gas industries.

IOI Acidchem has also been accorded the Excellent Achievement in Environmental Performance in the 2014/2015 Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award and retained Penang State Award it won previously, the state awards are presented to the best awardee from participating states.

Held biennially, the Prime Minister's Hibiscus Awards is Malaysia’s premier and most prestigious environmental awards. This award is jointly organised by the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Malaysia, Environmental Management and Research Association Malaysia, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers and Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The award was supported by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and its Department of Environment. Eligibility extends to companies from any industrial or other sector operating within Malaysia.

The objectives of the Award are to present an opportunity for public recognition of business and industry’s environmental accomplishment and leadership and to create environmental awareness amongst enterprise that have yet to demonstrate stewardship. Through participation in the Award, enterprises are able to identify areas for improvements, build capacity and development partnerships to meet increasingly stringent local and global environmental requirements.

IOI Acidchem bagged the awards as a result of excellent performance in several key areas including commitment and involvement of top management, assessment and management of environmental issues, provision of environment related training, and commitment to environmental social responsibility activities. Some of the commitments demonstrated by the company include the use of green energy through solar power harvest and use of the efficient combined heat and power generation systems, employing highly efficient eco-friendly process technologies such as reactive distillation and chemical-free processes whist reducing the use of resources, waste generation and GHG emission.

The company acknowledges the importance of not only excellent execution but one that is consistent and sustained. IOI Acidchem will continue to enhance its processes and embark on more eco-themed projects.