Press Metal may start expanding its smelting operations in Sarawak

Press Metal Berhad may consider expansion of smelting operations if the plan of the state government for constructing more hydroelectricity dams finally takes place.

Datuk Paul Koon Poh Keong, chief executive officer said the media the reason behind this is the industry was a heavy consumer of power.

The state government is considering building of dams in Miri and Kapit divisions simultaneously from the next year. It has presently the 2,400MW Bakun and also 944MW Murum dams.

"It is going to be power rich. Should we proceed with our expansion plan, Bintulu will be an ideal place.

"This is because the government is building a new sea port in Samalaju which allows us to save on transportation and logistic costs," he added.

Koon said the aluminum industry is important for Malaysia due to the increasing usage of aluminium products in construction, automobile, packaging & transportation industries globally.

"Aluminium appeals greatly to the world which is getting more environmentally conscious. It is also highly recyclable and does not lose its property in the process, unlike plastic," he added.

Koon said Malaysia, through these two smelting plants, was a global name in the aluminum industry and also because of the fine quality of ingot and billet exports.