Malaysia has long been known for its thriving heavy industry sector, which has contributed significantly to the country's economic growth.

With a strategic location and skilled labour force, Malaysia has become an attractive destination for foreign investment in heavy industries such as steel, cement, and petrochemicals.

What is heavy industry?

Heavy industry refers to large-scale operations focused on producing raw materials or capital goods.

These industries often require significant amounts of energy and water, resulting in considerable environmental impacts, including higher pollution emissions.

Heavy Industry Zones and Regulations

• A buffer zone of at least 500 meters and a landscaped strip of 20 meters should be maintained for heavy industries. These specifics will be finalised within the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report.
   
• Heavy industries should be established within designated industrial estates or zones, maintaining adequate buffer zones from residential areas, livestock farms, agricultural lands, recreational spaces, and tourist destinations.
   
• Industrial operations must manage noise levels using advanced solutions to meet WHO guidelines: 65 dB(A) at the industrial boundary, and 55 dB(A) daytime or 45 dB(A) nighttime at residential or buffer zones.
   
• Heavy industries produce significant gaseous emissions, requiring detailed designs, controls, and mitigation strategies to meet Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulation 1978.
   
• Stack heights should be determined through air quality modelling in the EIA Report.
   
• Industrial effluent must comply with the Environmental Quality (Sewage and Industrial Effluent) Regulation 1979, using advanced designs and protocols. Untreatable effluent must be sent to Central Treatment Facilities.
   
• Industries managing radioactive or toxic wastes must use approved pollution controls and mitigation measures in compliance with the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulation (Amendment) 2007.
   
• Excess waste should be treated at centralised plants, recycled onsite, or given to authorised recyclers.
   
• When sitting within industrial zones, it is essential to consider compatibility with neighbouring industries to ensure safe and efficient operations.
   
• Any hot water discharges must be assessed through thermal plume modelling and simulations, with findings explicitly included in the EIA Report.

Read more: Industrial Zoning Regulations in Malaysia.

Differences Between Light, Medium, and Heavy Industries

Examples or Types of Heavy Industry Products

Find Heavy Industry Factory or Warehouse in Malaysia
 

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