IWK collaborates with Menum Industries in producing Black Soldier Fly Larve & enhances cooperation with Kelantan utilities Mubaarakan

Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with a local company, Menum Industries Sdn Bhd to pioneer a biosolids recycling initiative for the production of Black Soldier Fly Larvae. Through this collaboration, IWK seeks to reuse treated bio-solids as feed to Black Soldier Fly Larvae to produce full-fat protein meal and reduce the disposal of biosolids to landfill.  

The MoA signing ceremony, held at the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia 2022 (IGEM), was attended and witnessed by Deputy Secretary General (Water and Sewerage Service Sector), YBrs. Dr. Ching Thoo, Kelantan State Secretary, Dato Hj Nazran Muhammad and Chief Executive Officer Malaysia Debt Ventures (MDV) Berhad, Nizam Mohamed Nadzri.  

The MoA was signed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IWK, Narendran Maniam and CEO of Menum Industries Sdn Bhd, Dr. Suresh Chandran, with witnessed signed by Senior General Manager of IWK, Mohd. Zainal Zakaria and Managing Director of Menum Industries, Dr. Nik Marzuki B. Nik Muhammad respectively.  

IWK’s Regional Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Klang Valley generate approximately 200 tonnes biosolids per day which are currently disposed to landfills. In line with IWK’s aspiration towards circular economy, the company embarked on this partnership with hopes to manage the biosolids produced in a sustainable manner.  

“IWK's partnership with Menum Industries will certainly pave the way forward as we continue to seek innovative measures to ensure our processes and downstream by-products are managed in a sustainable manner. The reuse of biosolids to produce a valuable and sustainable nutrient source is certainly a game changer for us as we continue to strengthen our green initiatives”, said CEO of IWK, Narendran Maniam. 

“This initiative is also in line with the Green Technology Malaysia (GTMP) target, which is to achieve 100% recycling of biosolids by 2030 and will result in Green House Gas (GHG) emission reduction of about 11,500 metric tonne CO2e per year”, he added. 

Menum Industries has the technical know-hows and facilities to produce these Black Soldier Fly Larvae that feed on a mixture containing our biosolids. Biosolids or “sewage sludge” are primarily organic solid products that are produced from wastewater treatment processes. The Black Soldier Fly Larvae, grown on feedstock of these biosolids mixed with other organic waste, can be harvested to produce full-fat protein meal; a sought-after feed meal for aquaculture industries especially ornamental fish farming. 

In addition to this partnership, IWK also signed another two (2) collaboration agreements with Kelantan Utilities Mubaarakan Holding Sdn. Bhd. (KUM) for the technical, operational and management cooperation, as well as corporate social responsibility collaboration. The MoU was signed by CEO of IWK, Narendran Maniam and Executive Director of KUM, Haji Abdul Rashid Bin Mohd Yusoff, with witnessed signed by Head of Corporate Planning IWK, Azuan Ahmad Zahdi and General Manager of KUM, Haji Mahadi Bin Mokhtar respectively.  

Early last year, the maintenance of the public sewerage system in Kelantan was handed over to the Federal Government via IWK to ensure more orderly services which can be planned and implemented efficiently in the state. The handover of the public sewerage system in Kelantan also aims to ensure the treated wastewater conform to high standards, especially in efforts to conserve the water resources and environment. 

This content is provided by Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd.