Insights into foresight & future oriented activities in Malaysia

3. inside August 2011 features
Editor’s Note
p02 Initial Thoughts
p04
Leader's Insights
Envisioning Asia 2060
22
Experts' Insights
p06 Foresight and Challenges in Communicating
its Result to Decision Makers
Industry Insights
p09 New Business Potential Via Resource Recovery
in the Wastewater Sector
p15 Growing Together - Future Forum 2020:
A Foresight Project for Natural Fiber
p20 The Challenges of Research in Malaysia:
Prioritisation of Research and Bringing Research to the Market
32
Foresight Interconnect™
p14 myForesight™ Bookclub
cover story
p22 Greening the Future Through Malaysian Biomass Initiatives (MBI)
Trends & Issues
p32 Cloud Computing for SMEs in Malaysia:
A Public Private Partnership- Unlocking the Potential
of Cloud Computing for a New World of Business
p34 The National Science and Research Council 34
p38 Can We Ignore Nuclear?
Viewpoints
p40 Foresight on Construction Technology
Manufactured Housing/Industrialised Building System (IBS)
p48 A Letter From The Future
EDITORIAL BOARD
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PUBLISHED BY
Rushdi Abdul Rahim Malaysian Industry-Government Group
for High Technology
WRITERS Prime Minister's Department 3517, Jalan Teknokrat 5
Datuk Ir. Abdul Kadir Mohd Din 63000 Cyberjaya Selangor Darul Ehsan
40
Claudio Chauke Nehme www.might.org.my
Marcio De Miranda Santos
Lelio Fellows Filho FOR INQUIRIES
Gilda Massari Coelho myForesight™
Dilip Tambyrajah
Nik Ahmad Faizul Abdul Mallek Phone : +603 8315 7888
Puvaneswary Ramasamy Fax : +603 8312 0300
John Galligan E-mail : foresight@might.org.my
Dr. Dzaharudin Mansor Website : www.myforesight.my
Dr. Vilasini Pillai
Muhammad Hasif Hasan DISCLAIMER
Abdul Rahman Hamdan Any article included in this publication and/
Patrick Ethe Raj or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily
K. Thambiratnam reflect the views of the myForesight™
M.S. Shahir but remain solely those of the author(s).
CONTRIBUTORS The Publisher is not to be held responsible for
Mohd Nurul Azammi Mohd Nudri any copyright violation of articles, which have
been provided by contributing writers.
Natrah Mohd Emran
Mohd Afzanizam Mohd Bahrin
Ani Suzila Anas
Ahmad Nazri Abudin
Mohd Kamaruzaman Abdullah

4. August 2011
editor’s note
Initial
Thoughts
BY
RUSHDI ABDUL RAHIM
Director
myForesight™
rushdi@might.org.my
Talk of the future has never failed to illicit comments from individuals with diverse
and marginalizing opinions. This is especially true in the form of things we need to
focus on to reach our desired future.
I
t has been an interesting quarter for us at u Utilization of a well-known framework/model; account; social & environmental impacts, safety &
myForesight. The past few months saw us security etc. It is worth to note that PEMANDU
2 presenting our body of work to the global u The process must be transparent; themselves acknowledges the NKEA are not
audience during the FTA conference in intended to be definitive but serves as a starting
Seville, Spain; experts and colleagues in u Will be problems or issues based either point.
Manchester Institute of Innovation Research realized or anticipated;
(MIoIR) as well as participants of a seminar Tan Sri Dato Zulkifli’s article on envisioning
organized by ISTIC-UNESCO. Whereas at u Trans-disciplinary and diverse engagement of Asia 2060 describes on the need of taking various
the home front, recommendations were being stakeholders; factors into account in developing visions of the
considered, uptakes on the focus areas are future.
made and to be implemented into realizable u Considerations into long term impact and
programmes. strategies; Through our participation of FTA conference in
May, we have managed to widen our network,
This is particularly true in the case of conversion u Considerations of resources and leverage on the experience of other countries that
of palm oil into bio mass energy which is our competencies. has also conducted foresight initiatives. Therefore,
cover story. The Malaysian Biomass initiative in this issue, we are providing the Brazilian
(MBI) is a programme under the Global Science Foresight anyone? Keep watching this space for case study of the challenges in communicating
Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC) which more updates on this matter. You will find details foresight results to decision makers.
was announced with much fanfare in New York on the NSRC on page 34.
by our Prime Minister on the 17th of May 2011. For this issue, insights from the industry includes
Leveraging on global network and expertise, Talk of the future has never failed to illicit Datuk Abdul Kadir’s piece on the business potential
GSIAC will be the platform for Malaysia to tap comments from individuals with diverse and of waste water sector as well as contributions from
into the knowledge of world renowned experts in marginalizing opinions. This is especially true in International Natural Fibre Organization on the
their respective field in the realm on S&T. Suffice the form of things we need to focus on to reach future of natural fibre.
to say that the selection of the initiative took stock our desired future. Now, it seems that everybody
of the focus areas identified by myForesight. is currently jumping into the PEMANDU ETP As usual, we hope you find the magazine
NKEA bandwagon. Unfortunately, there are beneficial and thought provoking.
We have also presented findings that were made widespread misconceptions that anything that
during the last National Technology Foresight to is not part of the NKEA is not worth taking We expect you to have your opinion on certain
the newly formed National Science & Research a look. People tend to forget the NKEA are matters. We want to hear them. We welcome your
Council (NSRC). One of the main tasks of the short to medium term focus areas which is feedback and contributions.
NSRC was to identify and prioritize the focus intended on trying to achieve our aspirations
areas for Malaysia’s R&D activities. Note that the of being developed nation by 2020. However
council members pointed out that to prioritize in envisioning the future, there are other
the areas, it must satisfy the following:- considerations that needs to be taken into

6. August 2011
leader's insights
Envisioning
Asia 2060
BY
Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abd Razak
Vice-Chancellor
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Experience has shown that countries
that grow rich are not necessarily
those well-endowed with natural
resources but those that invest wisely
in building their human capital and
4 allocating a reasonable percentage
of their gross domestic product to
research and development.
A
group of experts met last week The competing interests of economics and Union may be too Eurocentric to be modelled by
at Tamkang University Graduate geopolitics are still measured and characterised Asians in creating a common platform.
Institute of Future Studies in Taipei by rules and procedures dictated by several
to discuss "Global Transitions and international agencies marked by their vested, if Interestingly, Jeremy Rifkin made a similar
Asia 2060". The broad focus of the subtle, pro-West agenda. Hence, virtually nothing observation vis-a-vis the US when he recognised
meeting, co-hosted by the US-based Foundation new emerges based on the "tangibles". Asia is as early as 2005 that the American Dream was
for the Future was on three areas — climate, trailing very much behind, struggling with the dying. "The American model is not working
political economy and identity. The writer gave the catch-up game laid out by the West. and globalisation under American stewardship
keynote address. has failed totally," he was quoted as saying
In contrast, the contending view based on the (International Herald Tribune, March 26-27,
The meeting came out with four possible scenarios "intangibles" is a more challenging one, drawing 2005).
for the future, ranging from a borderless Asia in a from the strengths and norms that are closely
changing world to one that is fragmented over and associated with, if not uniquely, Asia. He envisioned an European Dream "while trying
above the current geopolitical boundaries. The to make European policies the default for the rest
possibility of some of the bigger countries splitting The key argument is about bringing into focus of the world..."
up into North and South, or even East and West the unifying elements that could make an Asian
portions was not ruled out. "entity" based on commonalities as a source of In the same way, Asia needs to be doubly cautious
cohesiveness. These are by and large the enduring about blindly emulating the existing models in
Overall, perhaps the two most contentious ideas shared Asian values, without which it is difficult the West, especially in a new millennium with its
in the discussions related to the issue of the to imagine even a cluster as successful as ASEAN multitude of new challenges, given the perception
"tangibles" against the "intangibles". The former lasting. This is critical to realise because Asia is that a shift of gravity is taking place from the West
reflected the thinking of the previous century and too diverse in terms of not only its population and to Asia as the world's economic dynamo.
was dominated by the existing Western-centric geographical size, but its level of development,
matrixes despite the increasingly precarious governance and democracy, distribution of wealth, However, some are still in denial this is happening.
position of the so-called "Washington consensus". as well as existing disparities. Thus, the European One view expressed in the Foreign Policy

7. August 2011
leader's insights
5
magazine ( July-August 2009) noted that Asia is Second, unlike the Western hemisphere, its Eastern climate, for example, Asia's large population base
nowhere near closing the economic and military counterpart has somehow been fragmented and the worsening overall pollution trends can
gap with the West. It added that Asia does not into at least "Near", "Middle" and "Far" East that cripple its future ambitions.
seem to play an equally inspiring role as the West ultimately make up much of Asia. To what extent
as a thought leader. It seems that we are back to the can Asia iron out the apparent differences and Similarly, on the political economic front, some
importance of the "intangibles" beyond the idea become a truly unified global force of the future? participants were mindful of Asia's history that is
of nation-states and the capitalist ideology being Can Asia and its rich historical, cultural and littered with conflicts for power and resources,
alien to this part of the world. After all, Asian roots civilisational experiences celebrate diversity as a now that China and India are being dubbed the
are more community-oriented vis-a-vis that of major unifying platform towards a more globalised new colonisers.
Americans and Europeans. world?
Ultimately, this will have drastic ramifications for
With respect to this, I posed three questions that Lastly, given that the Confucian, Vedic and Islamic the issue of identity for Asia's existence as a unique
Asia needs to seriously ponder if it is to make a ethics are generally pervasive throughout Asia, non-Western entity and value system amidst the
difference beginning five decades from now. First, how far can they collectively redefine the current faltering Western Dream (not just American) that
as Asia pushes forward into the future, how much global ethics that evolved during the days of the Rifkin referred to.
of the current global construct can it reshape Renaissance of Western Europe? This is taking
to make it more just and fair? In the previous cognizance of the fact that today's global ethics That is not to say that Asians cannot learn from the
centuries, many global agendas were pursued by are failing, as indicated by the various global experiences of others, since it is naive to assume
the industrialised countries of the global north crises extending into ecology, economics and also that Asia has all the answers — especially in
that invariably put their interests ahead of the geopolitics, which therefore need to be urgently creating a more inclusive Global Dream, one that
rest, including Asia, perpetuating an uneven revisited. has the characteristics of an Asian Dream as well.
playing field. Can Asia provide a more equitable
leadership? In essence, to what extent are the three dimensions
of climate, political economy and identity factored This article was published in The Edge Malaysia -
into the Asia 2060 equation? On the issue of 22th November 2010

8. August 2011
experts' insights
Foresight and Challenges
In Communicating
Its Result To Decision Makers
BY
Claudio Chauke Nehme1,2, Marcio de Miranda
Santos1, Lelio Fellows Filho1, Gilda Massari
Coelho1
1-Centre for Strategic Studies and Management (CGEE)
2-Catholic University of Brasilia
chauke@cgee.org.br
This article is an excerpt from the original paper entitled “The Challenges of
Communicating the Foresight Study Outcomes to Better Advise Decision Makers
in Policy and Strategy Matters”. The paper was presented during the Fourth
International Seville Conference on Future-Oriented Technology Analysis (FTA)
and Grand Societal Challenges in Seville, Spain on the 12-13th May 2011.
6 sharing perceptions, free of prejudices, cultural
Introduction Out-of-the-box thinking in foresight influences, and reasoning processes. This concept
exercises requires that experts and other stakeholders think
The Center for Strategic Studies and Management about new possibilities and collectively foresee
- CGEE is a non-profit Brazilian think tank, created The concept of out-of-the-box thinking adopted related approaches, imagine influences and impacts
in 2001 and qualified as a Social Organization by the by CGEE is related to the Learning Organization regarding a specific issue. The mindset revision with
Brazilian President, and supervised by Ministry of Theory (Tosey, 2005). The idea is to establish an experts and stakeholders uses mainly qualitative
Science and Technology, in order to promote Science, oriented process aiming at making decisions or approaches.
Technology and Innovation (ST&I) development
to advance economic growth, competitiveness and
well-being in Brazil. The scope of CGEE's activities Figure 1 CGEE's Methodological Approach
covers three integrated themes: foresight studies; Definition of main objectives
Planning main components
strategic evaluation of large programs and projects; • Public policies
and information and knowledge diffusion related to 1 • Strategic directives
Strategic goals
•
•
Strategic focus
Time horizon
the Brazilian ST&I System. CGEE is considered an • Special coverage
• Institutional and expert mobilization
interface organization in the ST&I environment. It • Duration and cost
has the responsibility of articulating Government, Theme selection • Methodology (Method and techniques)
2
• Governmental plans and • Consultation (Target audience, extent, frequency and reach)
Private Sector, Academia, and other relevant ST&I programs • Partners
representatives in the sense of gathering collective • Priority issues • Relationships with ongoing initiatives
• Critical questions • Available infrastructure
understanding to develop its activities. From 2001 • Dissemination strategic
Themes
to date, CGEE has conducted nearly 400 foresight
studies and program/project evaluations, mobilizing
Initial phase Main phase Commitment phase Decision Making
more than 2000 experts per year coming from 300 Look and see what What seems to be happening? What can be made? What will be done?
institutions. 3 is happening What is really happening?
What might happen?
4 How it will be done?
• Collection and organization • Information interpretation • Dissemination of results • Selection of strategic
What?
This article addresses the challenges of of information • Knowledge production among stakeholders. options
communicating the results of foresight processes to • Diagnostics studies and
• Forecast and Foresight • Workshops. • Interaction of key
How? methods and techniques • Publication and
Brazilian decision makers in a way that truly supports analysis
(Delphi, Roadmaps, communication tools
decision makers
• Intelligence systems • Options for strategic
their decisions. It stresses the role of intangibles Scenarios, etc) (Report, Newsletters,
Implementation of the
• Better understanding of Press articles, Website)
as a central outcome of foresight exercises and the Results SWOT and STEEPV
• Network structuring main decision (Plans,
• Collective learning • Extended perception of programs, etc)
importance to promote out-of-the-box thinking. dimensions
• Trends
• List of key technologies strategic options. • Identification of other
• Shared understanding of the • Consensus and
Lessons learned are presented as well as a case study. main topic future implications commitment
issues for future
analysis.
Information Knowlegde Commitment Strategy

9. What? • Selection of strategic
of information • Knowledge production among stakeholders. options
• Diagnostics studies and • Forecast and Foresight • Workshops. • Interaction of key
How? analysis methods and techniques • Publication and August 2011
decision makers
• Intelligence systems (Delphi, Roadmaps, communication tools
Scenarios, etc) (Report, Newsletters, • Options for strategic
• Better understanding of Press articles, Website) Implementation of the
• Network structuring main decision (Plans,
Results SWOT and STEEPV
• Collective learning • Extended perception of programs, etc)
dimensions
• List of key technologies strategic options. • Identification of other
• Trends
• Shared understanding of the • Consensus and issues for future
main topic future implications commitment analysis.
experts' insights
Information Knowlegde Commitment Strategy
Figure 2 Strategies to promote out-off-the-box thought
FINEP: Defined
Validation process Timeline Activities
Understanding
Premises FINEP: Government
possible
Company
futures
Short Term (5 years)
Scenarios??? ST&I System
FINEP’s
Policy & PACTI
Future Vision
Action Plans
Strategy
PPA
FINEP: Structuring
National and international actions
environments
Possible answers
How does to FINEP’s challenges
FINEP perceive
Studies and External
Seminars: external scenarios possible
reflexions about studies
vs internal context futures
influence relations
Trends to short,
middle, and long terms
Group dynamics
Game of change
Planning Initial Consolidation Commitment
phase Second, introducing collective intelligence phase
phase over phase
7
Intangibles all phases of the process in a systematic manner Case study:
Negotiation of the proposal
is the key for achieving success (Glenn, 2010).
Data Collection Final studies
Brazilian Innovation Agency.
Future vision
High importance and attention isand governance model In other words, collaboration, interaction and
given to the
generation of intangibles along the development communication are all important, as well as
Preliminary diagnosis
This topic describes briefly how CGEE recently
Future trends and potential Core competencies
of strategic foresight exercises. The process of
Initiating the process
attempts to design and plan the foresight exercise on FINEP
future impacts conducted an organizational foresight exercise for the
sharing experiences, the collective learning and with a sense of anticipation, pointing out the most
Survey main federal ST&I funding agency in Brazil – FINEP,
(Includes final results of the Strategic objectives
understanding, the creation of shared commitment difficult points and where revisions of mindsets areinterviews known as the Brazilian Innovation Agency
GTs, timeline, also
with stakeholders and
on the main decisions to be taken and the and discussionexpected. Preliminary studies
Presentation shared
workshops)
(Coelho, et al., 2011). FINEP's mission is to promote
Strategic roadmap
of the work plan
vision on future possibilities are all intangibles to the economic and social development in Brazil through
be pursued. Their value many times surpasses and The foresight Timeline
exercises conducted by CGEE public funding of science, technology and innovation
Implementation of
complements tangible outcomes, such as reports
the governance model
Figure
comprise three distinct phases, as seen inUpdated diagnosis businesses, universities, technological institutions
in
and publications, as they are usually absorbed as 1. The InitialBenchmarking
Phase establishes the baseline of the
(Includes final results of theother public and private organizations.
and
knowledge by those participating. GTs, benchmarking, SWOT,
exercise, usually mapping what is going surveyand workshops)
on related
Interviews
to the main issue. The Main Phase is where most The challenge of promoting out-of-the-box thinking
interpretation of information takes place and was very complex in this case. It required a broad
creativity is required at the bestand validation workshops
Mobilization, thematic of the participant’s exercise of exploring future perspectives and a
Methodological Approach capacity. Studies, scenario planning, workshops, systematic process of questioning "what is going on" and
and electronic tools are applied, among others, in "what should we do differently", with the participation
There are some key elements embedded in order to revise and transform mindsets, understand of staff and a range of potential beneficiaries and
CGEE's methodological approach. First and most possible futures associated to the main issues. In stakeholders. Figure 2 presents the main ideas and
important, stakeholders must be involved in the this phase, CGEE intends to build a good decision- designed strategy on how out-of-the-box thinking was
exercise from the very beginning. They must feel making process, making it as comprehensive as implemented at the agency.
comfortable and confident to participate in all possible. In the Dissemination Phase the main
phases, irrespective to the complexities involved. recommendations are fine-tuned with decision The turning point to truly revise its mindset was when
To have them engaged, CGEE’s team must listen, makers in all their aspects and an implementation FINEP was prepared to visualize its challenges and
interpret and understand the client’s needs, strategy is first designed. a feasible strategic position for itself in the future. In
desires and preoccupations and to describe and other words, to define a challenging, yet successful,
translate - to all participants, in an understandable Future Vision required a strategy which, on one hand,
way - the main objectives and strategic goals taking should balance the knowledge related to the present
into consideration possibilities, opportunities and and some relevant future possibilities, and on the other
different perspectives. hand, should compare, contrast and merge the internal
and external views.

10. FINEP: Structuring
ternational actions
August 2011 Possible answers
How does to FINEP’s challenges
FINEP perceive
Studies and External
l scenarios possible
reflexions about studies
futures
influence relations
Trends to short,
middle, and long terms
dynamics
experts' insights
Game of change
Figure 3 Methodological process for the development of FINEP/SMP situation emerges from the policy environment.
The sense of timing is related to the sense of
opportunity so as to create initiatives and projects
Planning Initial Consolidation Commitment
phase phase phase phase in the course of a government mandate. The main
challenge is to introduce a long-term perception
Negotiation of the proposal Data Collection Final studies Future vision and analysis to elaborate strategic foresight for the
and governance model interest of the State.
Preliminary diagnosis Future trends and potential Core competencies
Initiating the process future impacts on FINEP Second, in the corporate sector, in general, there is
Survey (Includes final results of the Strategic objectives doubt about the importance of long-term strategies.
GTs, timeline, interviews
Presentation and discussion with stakeholders and The sense of timing is driven by the necessity of
Preliminary studies
of the work plan workshops) Strategic roadmap urgent decision-making. An aptitude can be noted
Timeline for a competitive intelligence approach rather than
Implementation of Updated diagnosis strategic foresight. But, on the other hand, when a
the governance model Benchmarking
(Includes final results of the
strategic foresight starts to make sense, this kind
GTs, benchmarking, SWOT, of stakeholder usually invests in getting involved
Interviews surveyand workshops)
in the foresight exercise and, afterwards, becomes
one of the most active decision makers and takes
Mobilization, thematic and validation workshops advantage of the foresight outcomes.
Last, the Academia circle has strong barriers in
accepting strategic foresight conduction. In this
The construction process, shown in Figure stakeholders – around three thousand people-, not case, time is not a problem; the scientific and
3, was participatory and involved internal and only with the process, but also – and mainly – with methodological rigor is more important and it is
external stakeholders in a continuous process of its continuity. crucial to get this kind of stakeholder involved. After
value addition to the information obtained in the this first moment, the strategic foresight exercise
process, always searching for consensus among the This represents an important intangible gain, where becomes an extremely gratifying activity.
8 participants at the various stages of the process. the process was as important as the outcomes.
Strategic foresight proved to be a powerful In concluding, the Foresight exercises are usually
The planning phase included defining the strategic instrument for long-term planning, counting on exposed to some dangerous traps or milestones
management plan methodology and governance a diversity of methods and techniques and, above along their applications. In order to avoid
model for managing the process, motivating and all, having flexibility and resilience in its application these situations, it is important to note some
mobilizing the workforce. which enabled its adaptation to the specific needs characteristics related to each group:
of the study.
Some premises oriented the proposal: n Government representatives frequently start
The principle of participation that generates making decisions before interpreting what was
n Participatory process - the involvement of commitment and the use of methods that rely obtained in the first phase (information and
managers, employees, experts and stakeholders simultaneously on evidence, creativity, expertise data gathering), as discussed before.
in all stages of the process. and interaction, conferred methodological
robustness to the process and provided quality to n Corporate executives may have difficulties
n Commitment by the senior management, the results. thinking beyond their business. Foresight
regarding the process, the methodology and exercises and innovation strategies are
the results obtained. interconnected and it is important to stress
the possible influence and impacts from other
n Strategies focused on prospective vision and on Lessons learned business segments.
the definition of strategic guidelines covering
horizons of 5, 10 and 15 years. The case study presented, as well as others prepared n Academia often has difficulties thinking
by CGEE, identified three types of decision makers: beyond disciplinary structures. Due to a long
n Thinking out-of-the-box, with the stimulus to do government, corporate, and academia. disciplinary tradition of research and learning
different things differently. in the academic world, when foresight exercises
Their different perspectives must be taken into and innovation strategies are applied to new
n Governance model built to contribute to the consideration during the development of the future possibilities in academia, huge efforts
development of the plan, validation and foresight study and when communicating its of mindset revision and transformation are
application of results and with clear attribution results. Preparation and delivery timing vary needed.
of responsibilities between the parties. substantially among government, corporate and
academia clients, so it is very important to be aware
and respect their timing.
The methodological approach assured, through
the participatory process, the commitment of First, the Government sector usually desires to
an expressive contingent of internal and external make decisions when some problem or urgent

11. August 2011
industry insights
New Business Potential
Via Resource Recovery
in the Wastewater Sector
BY
Datuk Ir. Abdul Kadir Mohd. Din
Chief Executive Officer,
Indah Water Konsortium Sdn. Bhd.
9
Biosolids
Bioffluent
Dewatering
Biogas

12. August 2011 Disposed Thickening Biogas
Anaerobic Digestion
Dewatering Biosolids
industry insights
Figure 1 Typical Sewage Treatment Process - Activated Sludge System -
INTRODUCTION
Preliminary Treatment Secondary Treatment
Historically, the first thought of sewage treatment
dates back to the end of 18th Century when
Coarse Grit Removal Grease Anoxic Aeration Clarifier
septic tanks were introduced in the West. By the Screen Trap Tank Tank
nineteenth century sewage treatment methods
developed rapidly to meet the needs of basic Raw
sanitation. Today, modern and sophisticated Influent Fine Screen Treated
treatment technologies are continuously developed Effluent
for the purpose of protection of environmental Pump Sump
RAS
quality in a cost efficient manner. The key driver
Screenings
for this trend is the increasing need for a more
Scum
Sludge Treatment WAS
sustainable long term solution in terms of both the
Grit
economics and the environment.
In this regard, the current practice in safe disposal Disposed Thickening Biogas
of end products from sewage treatment namely, the
effluent and sewage sludge, will no longer be able Anaerobic Digestion
to meet the complex environmental challenges of
climate and water sensitive futures. For this, the Dewatering Biosolids
sewage treatment industry needs to be transformed
into a resource harvesting industry. This paper
describes the paradigm shift from traditional basic Figure 2 Resource Potential from Sewage Treatment
treatment to potential new business model via
resource recovery in the sewerage sector. The key Sewage Treatment Plant
idea is utilizing the ‘Green Technology’ and ‘Zero
10 Waste Concept’ to transform the sewerage industry
By-Product
into a sustainable and economically attractive
model. Effluent Biosolids Biogas
The
Basic Sewage Treatment
Current
Fare
The typical treatment process flow for a modern Discharge Dispose Flare
mechanized activated sludge plant is depicted in
Figure 1.
Calorific Value: Methane : 65 - 70%
Potential Values
BOD < 50 mg/l
< 3,500 kcal/kg CO2 : < 25%
Basically it involves 2 main components namely: (i) COD < 100 mg/l
N < 3%; P < 1%; K < 0.1% N2: < 5%
Pre-treatment for grit and grease removal; (ii) Main SS < 100 mg/l
Organic Matter < 50%
treatment process units where the major organic
and solids pollutants are removed via Biological
process (ie. secondary treatment). The secondary Fertilizer/
Recycle Water Renewable Energy Renewable Energy
treatment process involves a reactor or tank for
biological breakdown of organic pollutant by native
sewage microbes (i.e. MLSS). This basic secondary
treatment technology produces clear effluent that
can be discharged into the environment, whilst foot print. The latest being a variation of Sequencing Plausible scenarios were
the waste sludge (WAS) is typically stabilized and
dewatered into semisolid form (at 15-20% dry solid
Batch Reactors, Moving Bed Bioreactor,
Membrane Bioreactor, Combination of Anaerobic
then created to enable
content; also known as biosolids) for disposal to UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) and the identification of
landfills. If the stabilization process is involved, Aerobic systems. Although these developments technology priorities that
there is anaerobic sludge digestion and biogas is produces high quality treated effluent, the waste
produced as well. by-products remains typically disposed unto the is required to support the
receiving environment. nation’s vision 2020.
More recently technologies are focused on
enhancing nutrient removal namely nitrogen and
phosphorus as well as in reducing the operating
energy requirement of systems as well as smaller

13. August 2011
industry insights
Figure 3 Bioeffluent Reuse example of bio-effluent quality is shown in
Figure 3. Treated effluent without any additional
Parameters Units Average WHO Std MOH Std
• IWK’s Pilot Project – Effluent to Recycle Water treatment was also found to be beneficial to
• The results meet the WHO and MOH standard.
plant growth, potentially with chlorination such
Colour Hazen <5 15 15
application can be widely and applied. Such
Turbidity NTU <0.5 5 5 potential needs to be realized as it will greatly
Aluminium mg/l <0.01 0.2 0.2 relieve water stress areas and contribute towards
Chloride mg/l <1 250 250
sustainable water resources for future.
Copper mg/l <0.01 2 1
The potential benefits of biosolids reuse is far
H2S mg/l <0.01 0.05 0.05 RO Units reaching. R&D studies has shown there is sufficient
Iron mg/l <0.01 0.3 0.3 nutrient content in the biosolids where the typical
Manganese mg/l <0.01 0.5 0.1
values of N:P:K average at 3% of the biosoilds
whilst its organic matter content is typically more
Sodium mg/l 5.58 200 200
than 50% and can contribute to improving soil
Sulfate mg/l 1.75 400 400 CMF-S UNIT RO UNIT conditions and nutrient uptake for plant growth
TDS mg/l 12.9 1000 1000 (see Figure 4). The energy value contained in
Zinc mg/l 0.02 3 5 Advantages of Recycled Bioeffluent System the dry solids is also a potential to be tapped via
gasification process. Analysis of typical biosolids
Flouride mg/l 0.07 1.5 0.9 • No requirement for advance technology
• Low capital cost
from IWK plants in Malaysia show the calorific
Hardness mg/l <1 30* 500 • Easy installation, operation & maintenance value ranging from 2000 to 3500 kcal/kg.
Silica mg/l 0.2 10* 10* • Reliable source, quantity
• Low price compare to potable water
Another potential is the energy available within
biogas generated from anaerobic digestion, at
65% methane composition there is a minimum
Figure 4 Biosolids Reuse of 5000kcal/m3 of biogas being generated
(Figure 5). For each of these potentials the
Green Technology methods and approaches 11
are summarized in Table 1 and Figure 6.
Green Technology is envisioned by Malaysia’s
Premier Y.A.B. Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun
Haji Abdul Razak as one of the emerging drivers
Co-composting of Sewage Sludge and
Vermicomposting of
Municipals Solid Waste
Utilisation of Sewage Sludge of economic growth for the nation. The national
sewage sludge as Soil Amendment
Green Technology Policy was officially launched
in July 2009 which defines green technology
as "the development and application of products,
equipment and systems used to conserve the natural
environment and resources, which minimizes and
reduces negative impact of human activities”.
Hence technology for resource recovery for water,
Utilisation of Sewage Biosolids as Fertilizer for
Sludge as Fertiliser for Non-Food Crop: Application in
nutrients for soil and vegetation and renewable
Various Crops Rubber Plantation energy is very much in line with our national
BIOSOLIDS aspirations for a green economy that meets the
Advantages of Biosolids as a Fertilizer complex demand of the impending carbon neutral
and sustainable future.
1. Reduced used of chemical fertilizer
2. No smell, reliable source & quantity
3. Low capital cost, easy installation, operation & maintenance
4. Low price compared to chemical fertilizer
Sewage Sludge in 5. Premium quality where biological base enhances soil fertility
Forest Rehabilitation & & nutrient uptake Strategies and Way Forward
Regeneration
The application of Green Technology to produce
value and material from sewerage waste by products
the potential value for reuse is summarized will have the following benefits:
Potential New Business in in Figure 2. Treated effluent can be reused
Sewage via Resource Recovery & for landscaping and industrial applications. • Minimize discharge of treated effluent into
Green Technology Application Local research had identified this potential water courses and reduce potable water
and shown that with additional downstream stress.
There are three (3) waste byproducts, treated filtration units that can range from • Environmental friendly outlet for Biosolids
effluent, biosolids and biogas that can be converted media based, to membrane and or RO types can whereby disposal to landfill is avoided.
for beneficial reuse is as shown in Figure 1 whilst produce bioeffluent for industrial uptake. An

14. August 2011
industry insights
• Biogas as Cheaper source of electricity is Figure 5 Biogas Reuse as Renewable Energy
found.
• Green house gas emissions is minimized. Typical Biogas Characteristics
Towards Green Technology Biogas to
• Public satisfaction is eventually achieved Renewable Energy Parameters Units Value
when the highest level environmental quality
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) % v/v 28
is maintained. • BIOGAS - Valuable source of untapped
• Sustainable sewerage development could be energy potential. Oxygen (O2) % v/v <1
achieved. Methane (CH4) % v/v 65
• Sustainable option to reduce
Moisture Content % v/v 4
However, there are barriers and challenges to consumption of fossil based electricity;
Nitrogen (N2) % v/v 3
successful implementation of Green Technology
for resource recovery in the sewerage sector. The • Supports the Government’s target
primary barriers and challenges include the lack towards increasing the use of renewable
of funding; lack of incentive schemes; lack of energy.
economic of scale for immediate implementation
of the initiatives, lack of locally acclimatized
affordable technology, poor public acceptance of
the recycled products.
As such, to overcome this, the following strategy
and action plans need to be agreed and developed:
• Government to provide grant or funds to Biogas Generation Units Power Generation Unit
encourage 3R – for new waste minimization
and recycling projects.
• Implement Pilot Projects to demonstrate Figure 6 Illustration of Green Technology Applications for The Sewerage Sector
the use of Green Technology for successful
GHG (CO2)
12 utilization of sewerage waste products to be
implemented. GHG (CO2 and N2O)
(Flared) GHG (CO2, N20, CH4)
• Allocate Research & Development funds
Energy (Electricity)
dedicated to encourage innovation in cheaper GHGs (CO2) GHG (Biogas)
cleaner production of treated Bioeffluent,
fertilizer and renewable energy such as from
Biosolids and Biogas.
• Intensive and creative public awareness Sewage Sludge Dewatered
program to educate the public on recycling WASTEWATER TREATMENT ANAEROBIC METHANE
Biosolids
SEWAGE SLUDGE
of sewerage by-products. Vs Vs Vs
• Provide Policy & Guidelines for utilization of WATER RECLAIMATION BIOGAS BIOSOLIDS
sewerage beneficial products such as treated
Bioeffluent, fertilizer and energy source.
• Community engagement to be encouraged Renewable Energy Fuel for
via small medium industry entrepreneurship Recycled Bio-Effluent for Power/Electricity Fertilizer; Soil Conditioner; &
program and good incentives for Green Landscape & Industry Use Renewable Energy Fuel
Technology projects.
• More regional plants to be established to
provide the economics of scale to generate IWK as the national sewerage services provider Plausible scenarios were
•
Biosolids and Biogas of critical mass.
All regional plants shall be provided with
is well positioned to realize such new business then created to enable
opportunities for Malaysia. It is envisaged Malaysia
anaerobic digestion for sludge treatment. can lead other emerging nations to transform the identification of
• Developer shall be encouraged with sewerage services into sustainable model. For a start technology priorities that
incentives to build Zero Waste plants. IWK has taken initiative to establish demonstration
• Integrated resource management to be projects on bioeffluent reuse with government’s is required to support the
advocated, planned and developed for support and is looking into biogas demonstration nation’s vision 2020.
implementation. projects at IWK’s regional plants. With further
government support the vision of Malaysia as
leader in sewerage transformation (Figure 7) for
Asia can be realized.

15. August 2011
industry insights
Table 1 Green Technology Methods for Resource Recovery
Sewerage Green Technology Valued Added
Inherent Values Intervention Required
By-Products Applications Products/Applications
Water source Purification and Disinfection Membrane filtration, Recycled water for
Ultrafiltration Reverse Industries/Landscape Use.
Osmosis
Treated Effluent Nutrient Source – e.g. Nitrogen Source separation & nutrient Biotransformation and Recycled Nutrient capsules,
& Phosphorus; Excess Residual recovery Bioaccumulation using Nutrient Feed Meal for
Pharmaceuticals microbes, algae and/or Livestock; Recovered
duckweeds pharmaceuticals.
Fluidized Bed Reactors
Organic Matter ;Macro & Micro Bioconversion Process Composting & Bulk Organic Media Fertilizer
Nutrients (i.e. N:P:K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Vermicomposting
Fe, Mn);.
Fortification and nutrient Mixing and packaging Soil Conditioner Pellets/
supplementation Briquettes; Retail Fertilizer
Pellets
Energy/Heating Value Conversion to fuel pellets Thermal drying Co-firing fuel for Energy
Biosolids
Intensive Industry
Conversion to Hydrogen gas Gasification Renewable Energy for
and eventually to electricity Fuel Cell Technology Power Supply
Conversion to Biogas Anaerobic Digestion Renewable Energy for
Power Supply 13
Energy/Heating Value Conversion to electricity Biogas Engine & Renewable Energy for
Biogas Fuel Cell Technology Power Supply
Figure 7 Transformation From a Utility (Brown) Model to a Resource Recovery (Green) Model
Summary and Conclusion Source
separation
There is enormous benefit to be gained from Wastewater generation
the application of Green Technology to harvest
the much untapped resources in the sewerage
sector. For this, we need to transform the manner
sewage treatment is being planned and developed Energy
Wastewater
in this country. Malaysia needs to leap frog our collection &
sewerage services into a zero waste, and product conveyance system
Nutrient Water
harvesting based on the waste to wealth model
Wastewater
that is both environmentally and economically conveyance system Wastewater
sustainable. With the higher vision of sewage Treated
treatment system
as a resource instead of waste, the drive is to Biosolids
Disposal
establish green technologies to produce feedstock
and by-products that could be used to catalyze
Treated Wastewater Biogas
downstream processing to produce value added Disposal Flare
materials which have economic benefits (waste to
wealth concept). In the future, it is inevitable that
sewage treatment could be a lucrative business
when all the stakeholders could appreciate the Energy
inherent potential in this industry. Malaysia can
establish a Green Technology Hub and be a leader BROWN ENVIRONMENT GREEN ENVIRONMENT
in this waste to wealth concept and strategize its
sustainability through zero waste management.

16. August 2011
BookClub
LeARnIng fRoM THe
fUTURe: coMPeTITIve
foReSIgHT ScenARIoS
Liam Fahey/ Robert Randall.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Inc Published 1997/11 SUSTAInABLe
exceLLence: THe
fUTURe of BUSIneSS
In A fAST-cHAngIng
woRLD
Aron Cramer/
Zachary Karabell
YoUng PeoPLe, eDUcATIon,
AnD SUSTAInABLe
DeveLoPMenT: exPLoRIng
PRIncIPLeS, PeRSPecTIveS,
AnD PRAxIS
Peter Blaze Corcoran (Editor),
Philip Molo Osano (Editor)
• ISBN-10: 9780471303527
• ISBN-13: 978-0471303527
How important is nit to know and learn from the
future? Today’s business landscape is changing: Natural
14 resources are growing ever more scarce and
In recent decades, the world has often been caught expensive. Technology and changing consumer
unaware by momentous events–oil shortages expectations are making transparency a fact of life.
and gluts, the collapse of the Soviet empire, and The rise of emerging economies creates vast market
technology that quickly transformed whole opportunities for companies—and better living
industries. The question is, how do we learn to standards for hundreds of millions.
anticipate and find opportunities in such sudden
• ISBN-10: 9086860931
ISBN-10: 9086860931 crises? In Sustainable Excellence, Aron Cramer and Zachary
• ISBN-13: 978-9086860937 Karabell tell the stories of the companies who are
The future will always be unpredictable, but with the transforming themselves by responding to these
Young people, education and sustainable right techniques, it can be anticipated and managed. paradigm shifts and in the process shaping the future.
developement is a collection of 38 essays co- From their work with several international companies,
authored by 68 contributors from 25 nations, Learning from the Future reveals how these Cramer and Karabell know firsthand how business
representing a diversity of geography, gender, and innovative organizations harness imagination and can successfully grapple with big-picture issues like
generation. strategic management techniques to create scenarios resource scarcity, supply chain complexities, and
that simulate future opportunities and threats. This the diverse expectations of government and the
Young people have an enormous stake in the book makes preparing for unpredictable futures a public. In Sustainable Excellence, they tell the stories
present and future state of Earth. Almost half of the practical part of every manager’s job. It shows how of how Coca-Cola and Greenpeace collaborated
human population is under the age of 25. If young scenario learning readies companies for industry on a refrigerator that fights climate change, how
people's resources of energy, time, and knowledge and market evolutions and customers′ new needs. companies like Best Buy and Nike are transforming
are misdirected towards violence, terrorism, Scenario learning envisions how industry segments the very products they sell to deliver more value to
socially isolating technologies, and unsustainable may gain or lose profit potential, how certain consumers with less waste, how GE and Google
consumption, civilization risks destabilization. Yet, technologies could dominate a market or fail to created an innovative partnership that is developing
there is a powerful opportunity for society if young be accepted, how new trends could propel mass “smart grids” that radically reduce energy use, and
people can participate positively in all aspects of markets, what circumstances could derail a merger. how business leaders like Starbucks’ founder and
sustainable development. In order to do so young CEO Howard Schultz put sustainable excellence at
people need education, political support, resources, To help readers construct truly useful scenarios and the center of his company’s business strategy.
skills, and hope. learn from them, this book offers the latest insights
of 25 internationally known scenario developers. Through these and other fascinating stories
This volume offers a global perspective on Their case studies explore rapid technology Sustainable Excellence makes the case for a different
education initiatives by and for young people that innovation, regulatory destabilization, actions by way of doing business – one that will define both
promote a transition to sustainability. new or traditional competitors, and investment business success and economic vitality in the 21st
opportunities. century.

17. August 2011
industry insights
Growing Together –
Future Forum 2020
A Foresight Project for Natural Fiber
BY
Dilip Tambyrajah
Secretary,
The International Natural Fiber Organization Zoetermeer,
The Netherlands
Dilip.Tambyrajah@wxs.nl
15