Elridge Energy invests RM45mil in six activated carbon lines from palm kernel shell biomass

Malaysian biomass fuel maker Elridge Energy is spending RM45 million to build six activated carbon production lines in Klang, Selangor. The project runs through subsidiary Lumeria Power and turns palm kernel shell, the company's existing feedstock, into activated carbon for water treatment, gas purification, and industrial filtration. Once both phases are complete in the second half of FY2027, the site should reach 21,600 tonnes of designed capacity per year. The first three lines target commercial production in the first half of FY27, with the rest following later. This is a vertical move up the biomass value chain. Instead of selling PKS mostly as fuel, the company keeps more of the product value and serves environmental applications. Worth watching is whether actual output hits the designed capacity and how activated carbon prices hold in a growing market.