MAEKO Founder and CEO, Chelsea Chee, and MTCC CEO, Dr. Farrah Shameen Mohamad Ashray mark the signing of a collaboration between MTCC and MAEKO at IGEM 2025 to advance sustainable timber and zero-waste innovation.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 16 October, 2025 – The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) and Mentari Alam Eko (M) Sdn Bhd (MAEKO) have formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) at the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2025, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
The collaboration aims to promote the use of MTCS/PEFC-certified timber and forest-based products in MAEKO’s sustainable solutions and product innovations, driving a shared vision towards a greener, circular, and low-carbon future.
Through this partnership, MTCC and MAEKO will explore joint awareness programmes, sustainability campaigns, and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen public and industry recognition of how responsible sourcing and zero-waste practices complement national environmental goals and international ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards.
Representatives from MTCC and MAEKO celebrate their new partnership at IGEM 2025, advancing sustainable timber use and circular economy initiatives.
Dr. Farrah Shameen Mohamad Ashray, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTCC, said,
“This collaboration advances Malaysia’s ESG agenda by linking sustainable forest management with circular economy practices. MAEKO’s expertise in waste management complements MTCC’s commitment to responsible sourcing, demonstrating how certified materials can be repurposed and reused. By leveraging MAEKO’s network across key industries such as hospitality, food & beverage, healthcare, public services, and education, we aim to inspire businesses and communities to embrace responsible consumption of MTCS/PEFC-certified products.”
Chelsea Chee, Founder and CEO of MAEKO, said,
“At MAEKO, we are committed to building a waste-free Malaysia through innovation and partnerships. This collaboration with MTCC opens new opportunities to showcase sustainable design and manufacturing powered by MTCS/PEFC-certified materials that are good for both people and the planet.”
The signing ceremony was held at the Pocket Talk Zone, Hall 4, IGEM 2025, witnessed by representatives from government agencies, industry partners, and sustainability advocates.
MTCC, established in 1998, operates the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS)—the first tropical timber certification scheme in the Asia Pacific region endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). MTCS provides independent assurance that timber and forest-based products come from responsibly managed forests.
MAEKO, Malaysia’s leading zero-waste solutions provider, has been at the forefront of sustainable innovation through food waste composting machines, waste-to-resource technologies, and community-based waste management initiatives.
The collaboration between MTCC and MAEKO underscores both organisations’ commitment to advancing Malaysia’s transition towards a sustainable, circular, and resource-efficient economy.
About the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC)
MTCC was established to develop and operate the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), a voluntary national timber certification program that provides independent audits of forest management practices to ensure sustainability. For over 25 years, MTCC has championed sustainable forest management and responsible sourcing. As the first tropical timber certification scheme in the world to be endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), MTCS plays a crucial role in promoting responsible forest management in Malaysia.
As of October 2025, the MTCS has certified a total of 36 Forest Management Units, covering 5.92 million hectares—representing over 33% of Malaysia’s forest cover. Additionally, 387 certificate holders have been issued chain-of-custody certifications.
Today, MTCS is recognized by national procurement policies in Denmark, United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand. The scheme is also accepted under the Malaysian Green Building Index and other Green Building Systems in Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, and United Arab Emirates. For example, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries includes MTCS in its guidelines for the verification of sustainable timber since 2006.
Website: https://mtcc.com.my
About Mentari Alam Eko (M) Sdn Bhd (MAEKO)
Mentari Alam Eko (M) Sdn Bhd (MAEKO) is Malaysia’s leading environmental technology company specialising in food waste management and composting innovation. Established in 2011, MAEKO is committed to creating a zero-food waste nation through its comprehensive ecosystem of composting machines, bio-based solutions, and digital monitoring platforms.
With more than a decade of experience in waste-to-resource technology, MAEKO has developed a range of in-vessel composting systems for household, commercial, and industrial applications, capable of reducing up to 80–90% of organic waste on-site while producing high-quality compost. The company is also pioneering the integration of IoT and carbon tracking technology through its Carbon Tracking platform, enabling transparent and measurable carbon reduction from composting activities.
MAEKO’s innovation and sustainability leadership have gained international recognition — the company was selected by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as one of the Top 10 Sustainable Solution Makers in the world, underscoring its commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Beyond technology, MAEKO also drives environmental education through MAEKO Academy, inspiring behavioral change and empowering communities toward sustainable waste management.
Through its partnerships with government agencies, local authorities, and industry players, MAEKO continues to lead Malaysia’s transition toward a circular, sustainable, and low-carbon economy.
Website: https://www.maeko.com.my/
Media Contact:
Muhammad Hasif Azizan
Director, Communications & Marketing
Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC)
Tel: +603-2161 2298
Email: [email protected]
Chelsea Chee
Chief Executive Officer
Mentari Alam Eko (M) Sdn Bhd (MAEKO)
No. 192, Jalan LP 7/4, Taman Lestari Perdana,
Bandar Putra Permai, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor
Tel: +603-8074 8639
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.maeko.com.my
Date issued: 5 November 2025