Singapore: As a commitment for joint research, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus in Malaysia has signed memorandums of understanding with three companies. One of the them, Biotech Alliance International, is a biotechnology company with presence in Australia, China, Myanmar and Indonesia.

The other two deals are with Algaetech International and the Association of Consulting Engineer Malaysia Sarawak Branch.

The cost of the joint research exceeds $327,657 (RM1 million).

Biotech Alliance International is a bio-nexus status company that specializes in environmentally sustainable oil palm waste management system. The company has successfully developed and marketed its bio-fertilizer and bio-fungicide.

Swinburne Sarawak and Biotech Alliance had in 2009 entered into an agreement to conduct research on rapid composting of organic wastes from oil palm processing.

Algaetech International, based in Kuala Lumpur, spearheads the technology used in algae cultivation. It has businesses in Indonesia, the Middle East and Africa. In 2011, it was awarded one of the top 100 of Malaysian SMEs. The company, which started off as a technology provider for algae cultivation, is now venturing into large scale biodiesel production using algae, which is biodegradable, renewable, and sustainable.