Kota Kinabalu: Royalton Coating Sdn Bhd (Royalton), a Malaysian manufacturer of industrial protective coatings established in 1991, has formalised the appointment of Kinara Energy Sdn Bhd (Kinara Energy) as its strategic partner for Sabah.
The formalisation of the Partnership Agreement and Appointment Letter was witnessed by Deputy Chief Minister III cum Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, highlighting the collaboration’s strategic importance to Sabah’s industrial development agenda.
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Under the agreement, Kinara Energy will serve as Royalton’s geographic representative in Sabah and the wider Borneo region.
The company will be responsible for market development, regulatory and government liaison, ground logistics and compliance with the Sabah Local Content Council’s requirements.
The partnership also fulfils mandatory local content requirements for major onshore and offshore projects.
“This partnership is a prime example of the ‘Sabah First’ initiative we champion. Royalton and Kinara Energy are not just supplying products; they are committing to local manufacturing, training Sabahans to international standards and building a domestic supply chain. This is a genuine demonstration of industrial commitment to our State,” said Ewon.
Royalton Managing Director Adrian Lim described Sabah as a key growth market within Malaysia’s oil and gas industry.
“Formalising our partnership with Kinara Energy lays the foundation for a long-term commitment to supplying the State’s critical industries with certified, locally supported protective coating technology,” he said.
Kinara Energy Managing Director Sylvester Linus said the collaboration combines Royalton’s 34 years of formulation expertise with Kinara Energy’s strong presence in Sabah’s energy sector.
“Our appointment brings together Royalton’s 34 years of formulation expertise with our deep roots in Sabah’s energy sector. Together, we will ensure that the corrosion protection industry in Sabah is developed by Sabahans, for Sabah’s assets,” he said.
Sabah’s oil and gas, marine and industrial infrastructure sectors continue to require certified corrosion protection solutions, particularly for assets exposed to seawater, humidity and harsh operating conditions.
The partnership comes at a time when Sabah remains largely dependent on protective coating products sourced from Peninsular Malaysia and overseas, with no dedicated industrial-scale protective coating manufacturer currently operating in the State.
As a Malaysian manufacturer working alongside a Sabah-registered partner, Royalton and Kinara Energy aim to establish a locally managed supply and technical services platform to support a more resilient corrosion protection ecosystem for Sabah’s oil and gas, marine and infrastructure sectors, while strengthening local industrial capability in line with the Sabah First agenda.
Sabah Oil & Gas Services Council (SOGSC) President Datuk Harris Annuar Tan welcomed the partnership, describing it as a significant step towards enhancing local participation in the industry.
“At SOGSC, we are dedicated advocates for robust local content participation. Strategic partnerships of this calibre are vital. They not only reinforce our domestic supply chain but also accelerate critical knowledge transfer, create high-value employment opportunities and drive sustainable economic growth for Sabah.
“We look forward to the success of this synergy and remain firmly committed to supporting both organisations as they drive innovation and elevate excellence across our oil and gas sector,” he said.
Corrosion remains a persistent operational challenge for owners of infrastructure exposed to seawater, humidity and aggressive chemical environments, including offshore platforms, jetty structures, pipelines, marine vessels and industrial facilities. Such conditions require specialised protection systems to minimise structural degradation and reduce maintenance disruptions.
Through the partnership, Royalton’s protective coating systems, including its underwater and wet-surface tolerant epoxy technology, will be made available through a locally managed supply and technical services platform based in Sabah.
The company’s coating solutions are designed for use on offshore installations, jetty supports, pipelines, marine vessels and heavy industrial structures, supporting maintenance activities across tidal, splash and submerged zones where conventional coatings are often unsuitable.
The collaboration will also enable local coating supply and application services for operators across Sabah’s oil and gas, marine and infrastructure sectors, supported by Royalton’s manufacturing expertise and Kinara Energy’s operational capabilities on the ground.
Beyond product supply, both companies have committed to implementing a structured local capacity-building programme under which Sabahan coating technicians will be trained and supported in obtaining internationally recognised inspection and application certifications.
The initiative is intended to meet the Sabah Local Content Council’s mandatory workforce requirements while creating a sustainable pool of certified coating professionals within the State.
Royalton and Kinara Energy plan to progressively expand their joint activities across Sabah’s oil and gas services, marine and infrastructure sectors, with the long-term objective of establishing a local manufacturing and technical services presence in the State as commercial demand continues to grow.
