Oryx signs inspections pact with Malaysian government

Netherlands-based Oryx Stainless Group says it has signed a framework agreement with Malaysia’s government-affiliated testing, inspection and certification body SIRIM QAS International designed to ensure Oryx-shipped imports of stainless steel scrap “fully comply with the country’s green agenda.”

“Today’s agreement signing evidences the trust and understanding developed over many years with SIRIM QAS International, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and all government departments we have met,” Oryx Stainless Group Chief Financial Officer Roland Mauss says.

“We never take our circular business model for granted but operating accountably, transparently and reliably to the same standards all over the world, we are confident to win over even the greatest skeptics at some point in time,” Mauss adds. “Our company serves in the most sustainable ways to produce high-quality raw materials through recycling. Every country and economy can benefit from our knowledge and services.”

Oryx, which recently announced results from research finding that 1 ton of recycled stainless steel saves more than 4.3 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, calls stainless steel “a 100-percent-recyclable material and a shining example of the circular economy.”

The scrap processing and trading firm calls its material “a key enabler of a sustainable tomorrow, where raw materials can be used repeatedly without any downcycling.” Scrap’s “main benefits include the preservation of natural resources and the reduction of production-related emissions,” Oryx adds.

Annually, the company says it delivers more than 500,000 metric tons of stainless steel blended scrap to global melt shops. “In 2021, Oryx Stainless Group saved about 2.5 million metric tons of CO₂ with its supplies of recycled raw materials,” Oryx adds.

Earlier this decade, the Malaysian government announced tighter controls on the import of scrap materials into the country. The new import legislation requires thorough inspection of every shipment into the country, and SIRIM QAS International was appointed to oversee scrap imports nationwide.

“The agreements signed yesterday assure both the government’s mandate to keep harmful substances out of Malaysia and expedite the speedy and professional inspection of Oryx Stainless’ frequent shipments of clean, recyclable stainless steel scrap into Malaysia,” Oryx says.

The European company says SIRIM QAS International inspectors “will work side-by-side with Oryx Stainless to ensure every import shipment is in compliance with the guidelines.”

Oryx says a facility in Johor Bahru, Malaysia (near the border with Singapore), will be the company’s second subsidiary in Asia, along with its plant in Thailand. The Malaysia facility “will showcase an operation sustaining the product flow of a stainless steel circular economy with furnace input rates of up to 90 percent,” the company adds.

Malaysia itself has factories making products out of stainless alloys but has no stainless steel smelter, according to Oryx, which adds, “Thus, the 1,000 plus manufacturers of stainless steel products generate valuable scrap with no further use inside the country."

From its planned Malaysia facility, Oryx will export its blended scrap materials to stainless steel melt shops in South Korea, China, Japan and India.