Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CTRM) was incorporated on 20 November 1990 and has established itself as a leader in aerospace composites manufacturing. In addition to its core business, CTRM also produces non-aerospace composites and provides laboratory testing and calibration services.
Sustainability Governance and Strategy
To strengthen its environmental commitment, CTRM formed the Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC), which includes the CEO, CFO, and COO, alongside senior managers and departmental heads. The SSC ensures that sustainability initiatives align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (GRI), integrating these principles into all areas of business operations.
Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction
CTRM has made significant strides in energy conservation, beginning with the transition from conventional lighting to LED bulbs in 2016. The company has since expanded its sustainability efforts, resulting in million-ringgit cost savings without compromising product quality.
Key initiatives include the adoption of solar photovoltaic systems at manufacturing plants and the implementation of a building management system to monitor energy consumption. Plans are in place to expand renewable energy to main buildings with a 6MWp capacity, targeting 5.5 percent savings on electricity bills.
Through these initiatives, CTRM has reduced electricity consumption by 7.9 million kWh per year, preventing the release of 5,600 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to planting 142,000 trees. Additionally, transitioning from liquefied petroleum gas to natural gas has further minimized methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
Waste Management and Recycling Efforts
CTRM has successfully reduced waste disposal costs by 14 percent, primarily due to its responsible management of carbon fiber composite waste. In compliance with Malaysia’s environmental regulations, the company collects, segregates, and safely disposes of composite waste materials.
Recognizing that up to 50 percent of aircraft production materials are typically discarded, CTRM initiated discussions with a Japanese company in 2019 to explore the recycling of carbon prepreg waste into automobile components.
Additional waste reduction strategies include annual awareness campaigns promoting the reduction, reuse, and recycling of plastic and paper. The company also follows a Green Procurement Program, ensuring that products, services, and processes align with environmentally friendly principles. Vendors are required to comply with clear environmental guidelines, reinforcing sustainability efforts across CTRM’s supply chain.
Sustainability Reporting and Industry Recognition
CTRM plays a key role in DRB-HICOM’s Sustainability Annual Report, particularly in energy management, which is a critical reference for the Group’s submission to Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad.
Beyond compliance, the company’s green initiatives have supported broader strategic objectives, including operational excellence, research and training, people development, and supply chain excellence.
Industry Experts on CTRM’s Sustainability Impact
Shanggari Balakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer of MORS Group, emphasized that CTRM’s waste management efforts have led to a 14 percent reduction in landfill disposal costs. Given the scale of the company’s contracts, this marks a strong step forward in its sustainability journey.
Dr. Jayanthi Desan, Lead Jury of the ACES Awards, noted that many companies struggle with quantifying the return on sustainability investments. While compliance is straightforward, linking sustainability to a business case can be challenging. It is inspiring to see a Malaysian company leading the way in the Asian aerospace composite manufacturing sector in this regard.
CTRM’s journey toward sustainability continues, proving that green initiatives can drive both environmental impact and financial success.
