Overview

Over the last eight decades, Research & Development under Sime Darby Plantation has made considerable contributions in developing and pioneering best management practices in the country’s plantations industry and in many instances, assisted in commercialising them.

Its significant contributions include:

• Introduction of superior planting materials for use by the industry;
• Commercialisation of the innovative zero burning replanting technique;
• Stewardship in Integrated Pest Management;
• Water conservation and management practices for achieving high yields;
• Integrated FFB collection and evacuation system;
• Management of inoculum in the field for control of Ganoderma disease;
• Utilisation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent, EFB and compost as organic manure;
• Production of environment friendly oils and fats products through enzymatic process; and
• Production of healthy oils and fats products.

With a total of 130 scientists and more than 600 supporting staff, R&D Centres in Sime Darby Plantations are geared at making countless breakthroughs and innovations for the betterment of the company and the industry in general.

The research work is divided into six areas:

• Plantations – focused on breeding, biotechnology, agronomy, plant protection, mechanisation, precision agriculture.
• Processing & Engineering – focused on processing (process development), laboratory analytical services, engineering design, renewable energy and environment.
• Oils & Fats and Oleochemicals – focused on product and process development for oils & fats and oleochemicals.
• Technology Transfer and Advisory – focused on advisory services.
• Sustainability – focused on sustainable palm oil and quality systems.
• Quantum Leap – focused on new frontier research, biotechnology and non-plantation research.