Saint-Gobain, a global leader in light and sustainable construction, has entered into a joint venture agreement with Flinken Group, a Sarawak-based innovative construction materials specialist, to establish a strategic partnership. The new entity, Saint-Gobain Flinken, will see Saint-Gobain hold a 70% majority stake with Flinken Group holding the remaining 30%. 

Under the agreement, Saint-Gobain Flinken will support next-generation needs and meet growing demand across Malaysia and the Southeast Asia (SEA) region for light, sustainable building and construction materials. The joint venture will be supported by a phased capital investment into manufacturing upgrades and logistics infrastructure in Sarawak. This includes the development of a dedicated logistics hub with enhanced warehousing and distribution capabilities, which will also serve as a potential export base for Southeast Asian markets.

“This partnership reflects our strong belief in the importance of combining global expertise with local capabilities to accelerate sustainable construction. By working closely with Flinken Group, we are not only strengthening our presence in Malaysia but also building a platform that leverages technology, innovation, and local know-how to support Southeast Asia’s transition towards more sustainable and efficient building solutions. This is a key step forward in shaping the future of sustainable construction in the region,” said Ludovic Weber, Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Gobain Asia.

“From our roots in Sarawak, Flinken Group has grown steadily into a leading local manufacturer by consistently delivering high‑quality mortar solutions that meet evolving customer needs. This milestone marks an exciting new chapter for us, as we partner with Saint‑Gobain. We are excited to continue growing the company together while supporting the development of Malaysia’s building materials industry,” said Marcus Chai, Founder of Flinken Group.

Malaysia’s construction industry remains a key driver of economic growth, supported by urbanisation, infrastructure development, and rising demand for sustainable built environments. As the built environment continues to account for a substantial share of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the importance of greener building approaches has become increasingly pronounced. This is reflected in the expected expansion of Malaysia’s green building materials market, which is projected to grow from USD 385.4 billion in 2025 to USD 677.2 billion by 2031.

In line with this shift, Sarawak is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable urban development under the Sarawak 2030 Sustainability Blueprint through green building initiatives and smart city projects, advancing green building initiatives and smart city projects that prioritise the transition to green buildings, promote sustainable construction practices, and support sustainable urban design.

“As Malaysia enters a transformative decade, technology, innovation, and sustainability will increasingly define its built environment, supported by a strong decarbonisation and efficiency agenda that is moving the industry from aspiration to compliance. The joint venture underscores our confidence in Malaysia’s long-term growth and reinforces our commitment to supporting the industry’s readiness for this next phase,” said Lynette Siow, Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Gobain Malaysia and Singapore.

The joint venture will also introduce advanced production technologies and sustainable product lines and aims for a positive socio-economic impact through new employment opportunities, structured training programmes for local talent, and measurable improvements in carbon reduction and material efficiency across product offerings. 

These will be delivered through four key areas:

• Research, Development & Innovation (RDI): A dedicated RDI framework will support tropical climate material innovation and smart construction solutions. Programmes like the Saint-Gobain Sustainable Construction Challenge – Sarawak Chapter will fund local innovators and university researchers to develop breakthrough green technologies.
• Knowledge Transfer and Talent Development: Through IEM-accredited seminars, expert series, and training hubs, the initiative will upskill engineers and contractors with global best practices, while nurturing the next generation of innovators and material scientists.
• Sustainable Building and Local Industry Empowerment: The joint venture will develop eco-friendly dry mix materials using kaolin, lime, and palm waste, supporting the built environment’s circular economy and reducing carbon emissions.
• Community and Policy Engagement: Both companies will contribute to community infrastructure, youth STEM outreach, and green policy dialogues, working with IEM and government bodies to shape Sarawak’s building codes and sustainability standards.

“As Sarawak continues to position itself as a forward-looking economy, foreign direct investment and strategic collaborations such as this play a vital role in advancing our ambitions in sustainable construction, green technologies, and human capital development. We are confident that this partnership will contribute meaningfully to the development of Sarawak, and we look towards many more impactful collaborations in the future,” said Chew Chang Guan, Chief Executive Officer of STATOS.

The signing ceremony was held at Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS), witnessed by Tim Ooi, Chief Financial Officer of Saint-Gobain Malaysia and Singapore, and Phua Pui Ann, Founder of Flinken Group. The event was graced by the Guest of Honour, Chew Chang Guan, Chief Executive Officer of STATOS.