Kuala lumpur: The Malaysia Steel Industry Roadmap 2035 (SIR2035) charts a clear path towards stabilisation, transformation and full decarbonisation of the nation’s steel industry, said Unitrade Industries Bhd. Group managing director Nomis Sim Siang Leng stated that Unitrade embraces the roadmap’s policy directions on accelerating carbon pricing and transparency frameworks, which are expected to enhance the usage of green steel and support the role of metal recycling in reducing emissions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sim highlighted that as a key player in Malaysia’s building materials sector, Unitrade distributes a wide range of steel-based products and believes that sustainability must progress alongside industry growth. Sim noted that this belief led to a strategic move upstream into metal recycling in January 2024, forming the foundation of their green business portfolio.
In the financial year 2025, Sim reported that green businesses, primarily driven by metal recycling, accounted for nearly 50 per cent of the group’s revenue, emphasizing its dedication to sustainable growth. The SIR2035 Roadmap, introduced by the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, stresses the urgent need for transition, forecasting a 2.5-fold increase in demand for green steel over the next five years, potentially representing over 40 per cent of total steel purchases by 2030.
From a wholesaler’s perspective, Unitrade also appreciates the roadmap’s strategies to tackle industry challenges related to structural imbalances and overcapacity. By managing upstream overcapacity through licensing reform, the government aims to prepare the industry for a disciplined and future-ready stance.
Equally noteworthy is the ‘Buy Made-in-Malaysia, Buy Low-Emissions’ initiative, which prioritises low-emission steel in public procurement and is anticipated to boost demand for sustainable local products. This initiative aligns with Unitrade’s longstanding philosophy of sourcing locally, with 85 per cent of the group’s procurement derived from Malaysian suppliers.
The government’s decision to prohibit new Blast Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF) licences aligns with Unitrade’s commitment to cease sales of BF-BOF-produced steel bars and wire rods, reflecting a mutual dedication to phasing out high-emission production methods.