SCORE Driving Sarawak’s Industrial Transformation

The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) is one of Malaysia’s five economic corridors, established to accelerate growth through clean and sustainable energy resources. Within SCORE, the Samalaju Industrial Park (SIP) serves as a hub for energy-intensive industries, strategically developed to attract world-class investors and drive Sarawak’s industrial transformation.

Leading the charge is OCI TerraSus, a company that’s proving clean energy manufacturing can thrive in Southeast Asia while delivering both environmental impact and economic growth.

OCI TerraSus (formerly OCI M), a subsidiary of South Korea’s OCI Holdings, is one of the world’s few producers of polysilicon outside China, with sister facilities in the United States, Japan, and Korea.

In 2017, OCI TerraSus acquired Tokuyama’s Samalaju Plant in Bintulu, marking its entry into Sarawak. The plant has since grown into the first solar-grade polysilicon facility in Southeast Asia, with a production capacity of 35,000 tonnes annually. This output, fully UFLPA-compliant and conflict-free, supports the production of solar panels equivalent to 14GW of renewable energy capacity worldwide.

Sarawak was chosen as the base for its political stability, reliable renewable energy—predominantly hydropower—and strong government support for industrial development.

Beyond solar-grade polysilicon, OCI TerraSus has expanded into new ventures that strengthen Sarawak’s industrial ecosystem:

• OCI Kumho (2022): A RM2 billion joint venture with Kumho P&B Chemicals to produce epichlorohydrin (ECH), used in epoxy resins, water treatment, and rubber manufacturing.
• OCI Tokuyama Semiconductor Materials (OTSM) (2025): A RM2 billion partnership with Tokuyama Corporation to produce 8,000 metric tonnes of semiconductor-grade polysilicon annually by 2029.

With total investments of RM7 billion, OCI TerraSus is now one of the largest foreign investors in Sarawak and a long-term partner in driving the state’s industrial transformation.

OCI TerraSus provides direct and indirect employment to over 2,000 people, strengthening the local economy with stable, high-value jobs. Its presence also creates ripple effects across supply chains—from logistics and services to SMEs—multiplying economic benefits across the region.

The company collaborates with local institutions such as CENTEXS and the Sarawak Skills Development Centre (PPKS) to cultivate a skilled workforce tailored for the clean energy and semiconductor industries.

Powered largely by hydropower, OCI TerraSus’ operations exemplify low-carbon manufacturing. The company applies a three-pillar ESG framework—resource efficiency, safety, and trust—and participates in global initiatives such as the UN Global Compact and WEF’s Transitioning Industrial Cluster programme.

Its sustainability efforts extend to the community through education, health, partnerships, and sports initiatives, impacting more than 17,000 lives.

At the same time, OCI TerraSus invests in advanced technologies and digital systems to strengthen efficiency, safety, and environmental performance.

OCI TerraSus’ investments are closely aligned with the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030) and Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). By advancing both solar- and semiconductor-grade polysilicon production, Sarawak is positioned among a select group of countries capable of producing these high-purity materials—cementing its role in global clean energy and semiconductor supply chains.

From pioneering Southeast Asia’s first solar-grade polysilicon plant to spearheading RM7 billion in investments across renewable energy and semiconductor materials, OCI TerraSus is a strategic partner in Sarawak’s journey toward sustainable growth, industrial diversification, and global competitiveness.

To explore opportunities within SCORE and the Samalaju Industrial Park, visit RECODA’s website or contact +60-82-551199 | +60-82-551189 | [email protected] | [email protected].

Disclaimer: All figures in this article are under the purview of RECODA and are for informational purposes only. For specific details regarding investments and initiatives, please refer to official RECODA communications.