KOTA KINABALU: Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe officiated the soft launch of Seadling, a pioneering seaweed processing company, at Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) here Monday.
The launch marked a significant milestone in Sabah’s industrial journey, underscoring its emergence as a hub for innovation and investment, particularly in value-added industries based on natural resources.
Phoong hailed Seadling’s innovative approach and its alignment with the state’s industrial development goals.
“Today’s soft launch of Seadling marks a proud moment for Sabah as we continue to expand our industrial capabilities. Seadling’s vision for transforming tropical seaweed into high-performance functional ingredients is not only innovative but represents a key opportunity for Sabah to lead in the global seaweed biotechnology industry,” he said.
Phoong reiterated the State Government’s commitment to nurturing industries that maximise the value of Sabah’s natural assets.
“Seadling’s establishment here is a perfect example of how we are turning raw materials into value-added products. This is exactly the kind of industry we want to support, one that’s sustainable, globally competitive and inclusive,” he added.
Seadling uses proprietary fermentation technology to produce functional ingredients from tropical seaweed, including fermented seaweed liquids and powders, which are already being exported to the United States, Singapore and India.
The company also has its sights set on entering European and Chinese markets, reflecting the global potential of Sabah’s marine resources.
Seadling Managing Director Simon Davis said Sabah is uniquely positioned to become a major player in the seaweed industry due to the high quality of its marine produce.
“Sabah produces some of the best seaweed in the world, yet much of it is exported in raw form and turned into low-value products like carrageenan jelly elsewhere. Our goal is to change that, to build an end-to-end value chain here, from hatchery to high-tech processing,” he said.
He emphasised Seadling’s mission to elevate the entire seaweed ecosystem in Sabah, working closely with local farmers and international partners to develop a sustainable and inclusive industry that benefits the wider community.
The launch drew the interest of international investors from the United States, Singapore and Japan, many of whom expressed strong interest in Sabah’s emerging seaweed sector.
With its cutting-edge biotechnology and export-ready products, Seadling is poised to become a key contributor to Sabah’s economy, creating jobs, promoting research and development and positioning the state as a leader in sustainable marine-based industries.
Phoong reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to building an innovation-driven industrial base in Sabah.
“We are committed to supporting forward-looking companies like Seadling. Innovation and sustainability will be the twin engines of our industrial growth, and Sabah is ready to welcome more downstream investments from both local and international players,” he said.
