By Mahalil Amin Abdul Malek (mahalilamin@might.org.my), Ahmad Hafizi Mohamed
(hafizi@might.org.my), Dileeza AP Lutharnathan, Head, Advanced Materials, PETRONAS Technology, Ventures Sdn Bhd and Muhammad Hasif Hasan (hasif@might.org.my)
Malaysia is strategically positioned to become a global leader in graphene technology, inspiring confidence and pride among stakeholders for its potential as the “wonder material” with its extraordinary properties. Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice (a repeating hexagonal pattern mimicking a honeycomb), boasts remarkable strength, conductivity, and flexibility, making it indispensable across industries such as electronics, energy storage, aerospace and healthcare. This shared vision aims to motivate collective effort towards technological sovereignty.
Achieving technology sovereignty in graphene means enabling Malaysia to control the entire value chain—from raw material production to advanced applications—while reducing reliance on foreign technologies and imports. This ambitious goal requires a coordinated national effort involving government agencies such as the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), and PETRONAS Technology Ventures Sdn. Bhd. (PTVSB)—the technology commercialisation arm of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS).
This collective initiative leverages the National Advanced Materials Technology Roadmap (NAMTR) to build a robust and competitive graphene ecosystem for both domestic and global markets, serving as a strategic guide for stakeholder coordination and progress tracking
Understanding Technology Sovereignty in Graphene
Technology sovereignty refers to Malaysia’s ability to develop, produce, and deploy critical technologies independently. In the context of graphene, this means focusing on:
The National Strategy and Implementation
Achieving graphene technology sovereignty is executed through an integrated strategy encompassing planning, innovation, and market development, with contributions from all key national stakeholders.
• Strategic Planning: Outlining priorities such as scaling up local graphene production capabilities and positioning Malaysia as a preferred supplier of graphene-based solutions.
• Policy Framework: Implementing key instruments like R&D funding grants, tax breaks for companies investing in production, and regulatory standards for quality and applications.
• Collaboration: Fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia to ensure all efforts—from policy development to commercialisation—are strategically aligned.
Conclusion
Achieving technology sovereignty in graphene is a strategic imperative for Malaysia. Through the coordinated efforts of all national stakeholders and guided by the NAMTR, Malaysia can unlock the full potential of graphene. This journey will not only position Malaysia as a key contributor to the global advanced materials landscape but also pave the way for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
References
1. National Advanced Materials Technology Roadmap (NAMTR) 2021-2030 (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/ https://www.mosti.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pelan-Hala-Tuju-Teknologi-Bahan-Termaju-Negara-2021-2030-versi-BI.pdf)
2. PETRONAS Media Releases (https://www.petronas.com/media/media-releases/petronas-introduces-proshield-its-first-advancedmaterial-based-corrosion)
3. PETRONAS Media Releases (https://www.petronas.com/media/media-releases/petronas-launches-graphene-based-procharge-extendli-ion-battery-lifespan)
4. PETRONAS Media Releases (https://www.petronas.com/media/media-releases/petronas-launches-protough-enhance-compositematerial-strength-readies)
5. Graphene Info Article (https://www.graphene-info.com/haydale-and-petronas-collaborate-accelerate-graphene-enhanced-commercial)
6. PETRONAS Integrated Report 2023 (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.petronas.com/integratedreport-2023/assets/pdf/PETRONAS-Integrated-Report-2023.pdf)
7. Advanced Materials Show Article (https://advancedmaterialsshow.com/blog/materialising-a-sustainable-future-with-graphene/)
8. Advanced Material Initiative 2030 (https://www.ami2030.eu/#:~:text=The%20Advanced%20Materials%202030%20Initiative%20 %E2%80%93%20How?,significant%20changes%20in%20materials%20research)
9. Lux Research – Advanced Materials Strategy: fostering EU industrial leadership (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/ https://luxinnovation.lu/getmedia/a3605cd7-c88c-4a1c-925f-c6e0eb8c5125/Advanced-Materials_Report_14-October-2024-(1).pdf)
10. Advanced Materials Metrology Report 2024 (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.npl.co.uk/ getattachment/74fea6fd-dda8-4fd6-80f3-df87e57775bd/Advanced-Materials-Metrology-Strategy.pdf#:~:text=These%20trends%20 will%20allow%20efficient,the%20while%20reducing%20environmental%20impact.&text=metrology%20with%20the%20aim%20 to,technologies%20based%20on%20advanced%20materials.&text=Advanced%20materials%20are%20a%20cross%2Dcutting%20 technology%20platform%20that%20enable,properties%20and%20vastly%20improved%20performance.%E2%80%9D)
