FRANCE'S SAINT-GOBAIN TO INVEST RM200 MLN TO BUILD MANUFACTURING FACILITIES IN PERAK

KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (Bernama) -- Saint-Gobain Group's Malaysian subsidiary, Saint-Gobain Prima Sdn Bhd, will invest over RM200 million between 2025 and 2029 to establish manufacturing facilities at the Kanthan Industrial Park in Chemor, Perak, reinforcing its commitment to light and sustainable construction.

The French construction materials leader said the strategic expansion will significantly boost production capacity for the company's premium fibre cement board solutions, including PRIMA Flex, PRIMA Plank, PRIMA Liner, and PRIMA Lattice.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said Perak is a state endowed with abundant raw materials and mineral resources, and the investment by Saint-Gobain exemplifies how the state can leverage these resources to drive high-value economic activities, rather than simply exporting them without added value.

“By manufacturing building materials using locally sourced raw materials and minerals, Saint-Gobain not only enhances the economic value chain within Perak but also contributes to the creation of quality employment opportunities for its people,” he said in a statement today. 

Meanwhile, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said Saint-Gobain's expansion represents a pivotal catalyst for Malaysia's industrial advancement.

“With its cutting-edge sustainable technology, this facility establishes a new gold standard for high-value manufacturing excellence.

“MIDA takes pride in facilitating this strategic initiative, which further cements Malaysia's position as a leader in advanced construction materials manufacturing across the ASEAN region,” he said. 

Saint-Gobain Malaysia and Singapore CEO Lynette Siow said by expanding its manufacturing capabilities in Perak, Saint-Gobain is not only reinforcing its commitment to local industrial development but also advancing its mission to deliver light and sustainable building solutions across the region.

“We believe in making the world a better home, responsibly, innovatively, and collaboratively with our partners,” she said. 

The expansion was announced alongside a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Saint-Gobain Prima Sdn Bhd and Perak Investment Management Centre (InvestPerak), designed to enhance collaboration for the project's successful execution.

The signing ceremony, held at the Saint-Gobain Tower in Paris, was graced by the presence of Saarani, InvestPerak CEO Mohamad Hashim Abdul Ghani, Saint-Gobain vice-president corporate strategy Noemie Chocat, Saint-Gobain vice president marketing and development Christian Bako, and other representatives from federal and state governments.

The investment builds upon Saint-Gobain's successful two-decade presence in Malaysia, further strengthened by its 2023 acquisition of Hume Cemboard Industries Sdn Bhd, now operating as Saint-Gobain Prima, aligning with the Group's global mission of "Making the World a Better Home" and its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

-- BERNAMA