The creation of the BioNexus ecosystem is pivotal in driving the growth of an advanced business community in the biotechnology and bio-based industries in the country. This consolidates the evolution of the national Bioeconomy, resulting in increased investments, national incomes and employment in higher value- and knowledge-added economic activities. Notable BioNexus companies include:

IOI Lipid Enzymtec is a subsidiary of the IOI Group, a leading global integrated palm oil player that undertakes plantation and resource-based manufacturing businesses. IOI Lipid is involved in the research, development, production and commercialization of enzymatic products utilizing enzyme modification and purification technology. Situated on a seven-acre site in Pasir Gudang Industrial Estate, the company operates six modern manufacturing plants for the production of enzymatic Cocoa Butter Equivalent (e-CBE) “Coberine”, milk fat replacer Betapol® and other innovative specialty fats such as premium building blocks for margarines.

The company’s Enzymatic Lipid Modification (ELM) technology realises the production of healthier edible oils and fats, as enzymatically structured lipids are free from trans fats. The process uses less chemicals and generates less waste water compared to chemical interesterification, thus making it a more eco-friendly process.

PureCircle’s corporate headquarters is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia while its sales and marketing headquarters is situated in Chicago, USA. Listed on the London Stock Exchange AiM market, PureCircle is the world’s leading producer and marketer of high purity stevia ingredients and leads the industry with the development of a sustainable, vertically integrated supply chain operating across four continents.

Achievements and awards

• March 2015 – ranked No. 2 on Crain’s Eureka Index of the Chicago area’s most innovative companies
• Oct 2014 – Sustainability Commercialized Award from Ethical Corporation
• Dec 2013 – received a No Objection letter from U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of PureCircle Rebaudioside M (Reb M) as a general purpose sweetener for foods and beverages in the United States

All Cosmos Industries is a leading manufacturer and marketer of Bio-Organic and Bio-Chemical fertilisers in the Asia Pacific region. The Bio-fertilisers are manufactured through synthesis of organic waste materials with presence of microbes to differentiate their fertiliser and gives added advantage over inorganic chemical fertilisers. All Cosmos markets and distributes its Bio-fertilisers under the brand “Real Strong”.

Achievements and awards

• March 2011 – ITEX 2011 Award, Gold Medal for Malaysian Innovative Product Award and special Award from WIPO, Best Women Invention
• June 2011 – British Invention, Innovation and Technology Show, BIS 2011 (Gold Medal and Special Award for International Consumer Double Gold Award)

InQpharm is an international company with offices in Asia and Europe, engaging in the R&D and commercialisation of unique natural compounds in the nutritional, animal health and bio-pharmaceutical markets. InQpharm’s focus is on developing strategies that generate compounds for development into natural and safe therapeutic products and commercialisation. The focus of its plant-based products and technologies is in the area of weight management, allergy management, gastro-intestinal health and immune health.

Achievements and awards

• June 2013 – Malaysia Human Resources Excellence Awards Finalist
• April 2013 – InQpharm’s Litramine™ receives international recognition at the 20th European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2013) in Liverpool, UK