VANCOUVER, BC – November 28, 2023 – ChopValue, in partnership with KIAN Group of Companies, unveiled they will expand their innovative decentralized manufacturing technologies to Malaysia. With the initial Flagship Microfactory opening in Kuala Lumpur on April 1st 2024, this alliance is a joint commitment to “choose climate positive products for their community of customers first, wherever and whenever they can.”

Malaysia, home to 33 million with a rich tapestry of culture and diverse culinary offerings, faces a significant waste management challenge. According to the International Trade Administration, the country’s current waste output surpasses recycling rates, with more than 30,000 tons of municipal solid waste disposed of each day. Environmental experts project the complete exhaustion of landfill space by 2050 unless proactive steps are taken to address the escalating waste crisis.

The nation is now accelerating the shift towards a circular economy model, aiming to raise the current recycling rate of 31 percent to the target of 40 percent by 2025. KIAN and ChopValue are positioned to set an exemplary standard by engineering urban waste streams of disposed chopsticks into new product lines for circular furniture. The Flagship Microfactory resulting from this partnership will commence operations in 2024, projecting an annual reduction of over 1,200 tonnes of CO2 emissions and the transformation of 25 million chopsticks into valuable products in its first year.

James Ng, Chairman of KIAN, is firmly committed to minimize the company’s environmental impact and achieve B Corporation certification — a goal that he and Felix bonded over during multiple events, summits, and industry conferences throughout the year. "There are not many carbon negative companies, let alone B Corporations in manufacturing and ChopValue is a great role model," shared James. “For us at KIAN it is about a better me, better we, better world, and about joining the climate positive movement ChopValue is spearheading. I am all in with Felix and his team."

This partnership further extends its positive impact to neighboring countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. KIAN's well-established relationships with strategic clients in these regions align with ChopValue’s recent expansions through its latest decentralized manufacturing network agreements.

“We pride ourselves on forming meaningful relationships with industry leaders who share our commitment to a more sustainable future,” said Felix Böck, Founder and CEO of ChopValue. “Together with KIAN, we’re excited to streamline the design process to offer complete furniture solutions to global F&B brands while ensuring responsible manufacturing is made local in their communities.”

As Malaysia aims for net zero emissions by 2050, KIAN and ChopValue are at the forefront with their commercial grade carbon negative furniture solutions. With more Microfactories planned to meet growing demand across Malaysia and beyond, their decentralized manufacturing capabilities and proprietary processes ensures hyperlocal manufacturing with the capacity to scale responsibly, all while reacting to market changes and new product demands quickly.

About ChopValue

ChopValue is the world’s first circular economy franchise for decentralized manufacturing of sustainable performance products, with operations in 8 countries and over 70 Microfactories in development to create local impact on a global scale. Since its founding in 2016, ChopValue’s urban harvesting approach has diverted over 130 million chopsticks from the landfill, engineering them into carbon negative furniture solutions for homes, restaurants, and businesses. Their compelling vision to redefine the term “waste” to “resource” has garnered recognition as a Top 5% Certified B-Corporation and the attention of top-tier media outlets such as Business Insider, BBC, The Guardian, and Forbes. To learn more about their resource-efficient impact for a climate positive future, please visit www.chopvalue.com.

About KIAN Group of Companies

KIAN is a total furniture solutions provider catering to the commercial and residential sectors since 1983. Their manufacturing competence is powered by multiple technologically advanced machines with automated processes and mass production capabilities to promptly complete orders of any size for on-time delivery. Using state-of-the-art machines, together with a workforce of over 400 furniture specialists, KIAN produces a wide range of products: metalwork, polypropylene furniture, rotary moulded furniture, synthetic wickerwork, woodwork and upholstery. Their ability to understand and fulfill the business needs of customers is continuously establishing them as the market leader across more than 100 countries worldwide. Learn more about their vision for better design, better value, and a better world at www.kian.com.