30-07-2025
Sabah launches seaweed plant, eyes global biotech market
Phoong (fourth from right) and guests cutting a ribbon at the soft launch ceremony of Seadling.
KOTA KINABALU (July 30): Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Mon Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe on Tuesday officiated the soft launch ceremony of Seadling, a pioneering seaweed processing company based in Sabah.
The event took place at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), marking a significant milestone in the state's industrial development and its growing appeal as a hub for innovation and investment.
In his official remarks at the event, Phoong expressed his excitement about Seadling's innovative approach to leveraging Sabah's natural resources.
'Today's soft launch of Seadling marks a proud moment for Sabah as we continue to expand our industrial capabilities. Seadling's vision for transforming tropical seaweed into high-performance functional ingredients is not only innovative but represents a key opportunity for Sabah to lead in the global seaweed biotechnology industry,' said Phoong.
He further emphasized the state's commitment to fostering growth in industries that capitalize on Sabah's raw materials.
'Seadling's establishment here is a perfect example of how we are turning our raw materials into value-added products,' he said.
Seadling, with its proprietary fermentation technology, is focused on creating products like fermented seaweed liquid and powder, which are already being exported to countries such as the USA, Singapore, and India. The company is also planning to expand into European and Chinese markets, demonstrating the global potential of Sabah's natural resources.
Simon Davis, Managing Director of Seadling, highlighted Sabah's vast potential in seaweed farming, emphasizing that while the region boasts some of the world's highest quality seaweed, much of it is still exported in raw form and processed elsewhere into low-value products like carrageenan jelly.
He stressed that Seadling is committed to transforming the local industry by introducing innovative solutions across the value chain, including seaweed hatcheries and advanced processing techniques to create high-value products that benefit farmers and the wider community.
According to Davis, this collaborative effort with local farmers and international partners marks the beginning of a sustainable and inclusive seaweed industry poised to put Sabah on the global map.
The launch was attended by a number of international investors from the United States, Singapore and Japan, all of whom expressed strong interest in Sabah's seaweed industry.
Seadling's innovative work in seaweed biotechnology has positioned the company as a significant player in a rapidly growing industry, contributing not only to job creation in Sabah but also advancing research and development in the state.
Phoong emphasized the importance of innovation and sustainability in Sabah's industrial growth, assuring that his ministry is dedicated to making Sabah an attractive hub for local and international downstream investments.
