Sustainability champs emerge | The Star

PROMOTING sustainability through competitions ignites innovation and enthusiasm, encouraging diverse stake-holders to adopt eco-friendly practices.

These events raise awareness and inspire actionable change, driving collective efforts toward a sustainable future.

Informa Markets champions sustainability as a collective responsibility, creating platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow.

It organised ENERtec Asia 2024, a three-day event at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) uniting industry leaders, policymakers and innovators to pursue a sustainable and secure energy landscape.

(From left) Veliana, Jzu and Tang.

With over 300 exhibitors, five international pavilions and over 10,000 attendees, the event highlighted the region’s commitment to a low-carbon economy.

The exhibition featured interactive displays, live demonstrations and discussions on renewable energy, clean tech, energy efficiency and electric mobility solutions.

On the sidelines, Informa Markets launched the inaugural Sustainable Booth Excellence Award competition, featuring three categories: Big-Size Booth, Medium Size Booth and Small Size Booth.

China-based energy efficiency solution provider Acrel, in partnership with Malaysia’s Abbaco Controls Sdn Bhd, emerged as the winner of the award in the Big Size Booth category.

(From third left) Tang, Veliana and Siew with the Gruppe team.

“We aimed to display a booth that reflects sustainability, helping the industry improve energy efficiency and reduce costs,” said Acrel deputy general manager Julie Jzu, after receiving the award from Energy Commission strategic planning and communication department deputy director Veliana Ruslan.

“We have 50,000 cloud platforms worldwide to promote safer, more reliable energy-savings solutions, suitable for the construction industry,” said Jzu.

She said the brand had extensive experience in participating in similar competitions internationally in the US, Germany and Shanghai (China).

“We spent RMB500,000 (RM324,415) for the participation in ENERtec and the setting up of this booth,” she added.

(From second left) Tang and Veliana with Yu (third from right) and the Pekat Group team.

Gruppe Marketing Sdn Bhd clinched the award in the Medium-Size Booth category.

The company specialises in smart lighting solutions, with operations based in Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam, Selangor.

“We spent RM35,000 on this booth, optimising sustainability in our work processes.

“We want to have a clean and informative booth for our visitors,” highlighted Gruppe managing director Dr CT Siew.

He advised future competitors to focus on showcasing their latest products relevant to the exhibition theme.

Pekat Group Bhd, renowned for 25 years of providing earthing, lightning protection solutions and solar PV solutions, claimed the award in the Small-Size Booth category.

According to its brand communication and marketing manager Yu Siew Ling, planning for the booth took two to three months.

“We aimed to create an educational gallery for our visitors, educating them on our products and services while promoting sustainability as we are in the business of renewable energy.”

She said the company allocated about RM30,000 for the booth, which was set up within two days.

Reflecting on the booth’s alignment with the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, Yu said, “To minimise paper use, we encouraged visitors to scan QR codes for e-brochures and we provided free eco-friendly cutlery sets.”

Offering advice to companies planning sustainable exhibition booths, she said, “They should clearly define the objectives they wish to convey to visitors.”

Outlining future sustainability initiatives, she said, “We plan to utilise more sustainable materials and reuse current booth materials for future competitions.”

Smart Cable (M) Sdn Bhd secured first runner-up, while Leading Innovative Technologies and Systems Sdn Bhd was the second runner-up for the Big Size Booth Category.

Tridium Asia Pacific Pte Ltd earned first runner-up, with Nupi Industrie Italiane securing second runner-up for the Medium-Size Booth category.

L & Y Golden Pacific (M) Sdn Bhd was awarded first runner-up while Soloon Controls (Beijing) Co Ltd clinched second runner-up in the Small-Size Booth category.

Veliana lauded the winners for their minimalist and creative booth displays.

“They have decorated the booths in a well-planned and informative manner,” she said.

Informa Markets events manager Angeline Tang said winners in each category would receive RM10,000 towards their 2026 event participation, with RM7,000 and RM5,000 for the first and second runners-up respectively.

“Their involvement reflects a commitment to promoting sustainability,” she said.

The competition was endorsed by Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) and the Energy Commission.