|
|
This site
is mobile
responsive
In 2009, environmental auditor Ramaness Parasuraman founded Free The Seed Sdn. Bhd. with a bold vision: to combat air pollution caused by the open burning of rice paddy straw in Malaysia. By transforming agricultural waste into biodegradable packaging, the company pioneered a “waste-to-wealth” model that reduces not only environmental harm but also uplifts rural communities through sustainable value chains.
Free The Seed established its operations in Gurun, Kedah, with investments of USD4 million in a 10-acre production facility that commenced operations between 2015 and 2017. Securing a decade-long supply agreement with local farmers, the company began manufacturing compostable packaging for diverse applications—from food containers and trays to specialised biomedical products such as bedpans and vomit bowls.
The company’s proprietary biotechnology combines rice straw, husks, and papaya latex through enzymatic pulping and protease enzyme processes. This innovation produces durable packaging that completely biodegrades within six months, while providing farmers with supplemental income from agricultural residue that would otherwise contribute to air pollution.
Free The Seed’s decision to establish operations in Kedah was driven by both environmental urgency and the global shift towards sustainable packaging. To scale internationally, the company leveraged early recognition and support from innovation platforms, but its globalisation strategy was significantly accelerated through collaboration with MIDA. MIDA assumed a pivotal role in facilitating foreign investment and positioning Free The Seed as a key player in Malaysia’s bioeconomic sector.
A watershed moment arrived in 2022 with the signing of a RM400 million (USD100 million) market access agreement with HOTPACK UAE, a leading packaging company. This strategic partnership, cultivated through MIDA’s investment promotion initiatives, envisions establishing up to 10 biodegradable packaging factories in Kedah over the coming decade. The inaugural 3,200-square-meter facility, which broke ground in May 2022, is projected to produce 70 million FMCG packaging units annually while creating 1,200 jobs. The initiative also expands raw material sourcing to include pineapple leaves and other agricultural waste streams.
Free The Seed’s export strategy has also gained momentum, with products now reaching markets in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Japan, and Australia. A landmark RM25 million contract secured the shipment of 40 containers of biodegradable fruit trays to the Netherlands over three years, marking a significant entry into the European market. By 2025, the company aims to achieve RM60 million in market value, with over 3,700 farmers participating in its supply chain and producing 120 million biodegradable units annually across food, medical, and electronics packaging segments.
The company’s success reflects Malaysia’s broader commitment to sustainable industrial development, with MIDA serving as a key enabler. Through targeted matchmaking, investment facilitation, and international promotion platforms, including EXPO 2020 Dubai, MIDA has helped attract global interest in Malaysia’s green technology and bio-based industries. Free The Seed stands as a model of how local innovation, supported by strategic investment promotion, can scale globally while delivering strong environmental, social, and economic impact.
Free The Seed’s success offers valuable insights for companies pursuing international growth through sustainable innovation:
Free The Seed’s success offers valuable insights for companies pursuing international growth through sustainable innovation:
From tackling air pollution in Kedah to forging global partnerships across continents, Free The Seed exemplifies how bold environmental innovation and strategic investment facilitation can transform a local start-up into a global sustainability pioneer.
Explore other related content to further
explore MIDA’s insights.
