Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM) Chief Executive Officer Noor Afifah recently conducted an official visit to Koperasi Belia Inovatif Sarawak Berhad (KOBIS Berhad) at its Green Hub in Malaysia. The engagement focused on evaluating KOBIS Berhad’s governance and its role as a structured platform for youth entrepreneurship within the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework. A central component of the visit was the demonstration of the “BiocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More Ball,” a waste-to-wealth product designed to advance the circular economy within the cooperative sector.

The primary challenge addressed by this initiative is the need for sustainable, commercially viable business models that engage the youth demographic in environmental stewardship. In Malaysia, bridging the gap between innovative green technology and regulated corporate structures often proves difficult for young entrepreneurs. Specifically, the cooperative sought to address water quality issues in drains, rivers, and aquaculture ponds while simultaneously creating a scalable economic pathway for its members.

To resolve these issues, KOBIS Berhad developed the Biochar Ball, utilizing biochar’s remediation properties for water treatment applications. This solution leverages a waste-to-wealth concept, transforming organic byproducts into a functional tool for ecological restoration. Furthermore, the cooperative established a partnership with agrotech innovators to integrate these sustainable materials into broader agro-based economic activities, ensuring that the technology is backed by a disciplined and regulated cooperative model.

The outcomes of this collaboration include the establishment of a specialized platform for ESG-driven entrepreneurship that provides young Malaysians with governance oversight and capacity building. The Biochar Ball has demonstrated significant commercial potential as a green product for regional waterways and aquaculture industries. By aligning youth-led innovation with SKM’s regulatory support, KOBIS Berhad has created a resilient business model that contributes to national development priorities and the expansion of the biochar market in Southeast Asia.