PETALING JAYA: Main Market-listed QL Resources Bhd marked the development of QL Innofood Park, an integrated food manufacturing hub in Hutan Melintang, Perak, with a groundbreaking ceremony today.
With a strategic investment totalling RM1.3 billion, QL Innofood Park reflects QL Resources’ long-term commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s food security through scalable, value-added and halal protein food production.
The ceremony was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, underscoring the project’s importance to both national and state development agendas.
Led by QL Foods Sdn Bhd, the project represents a key step in QL Resources’ expansion of food product manufacturing beyond its existing surimi-based products.
QL Resources executive chairman Dr Chia Song Kun said QL Innofood Park is a natural progression of the company’s existing food manufacturing capabilities.
“It supports the production of a broader range of products, in addition to our existing surimi-based ones, to include those that are soy, chicken and flour-based. This is a timely development that will enable QL to better meet the growing demand for convenient, protein-rich and sustainable foods in the global market, while supporting our national food security goals,“ he said in a statement.
The almost 100-acre QL Innofood Park will be developed in phases over a 10-year period.
The initial phase focuses on core infrastructure, including smart cold storage, sustainable utilities, and logistics facilities to support long-term scalability and operational efficiency.
Construction of this core infrastructure is targeted for completion by mid-2027, with an associated investment of about RM300 million.
Concurrently, about RM100 million in annual investments have been earmarked to construct production plants within the park.
Upon completion, QL Innofood Park will comprise 13 production facilities, supported by integrated utilities, logistics, warehousing and worker facilities. It will have a combined capacity of up to 130,000 metric tons (MT) per annum, increasing QL Resources’ current production capacity of 50,000 MT per annum in Hutan Melintang by 2.5 times, bringing the total to 180,000 MT per annum.
This will position QL Innofood Park as a key platform for both domestic supply and export markets.
In line with Resources’ strategic business growth enablers, the facilities at QL Innofood Park are designed with a strong emphasis on automation, digitalisation and operational efficiency.
The park will integrate key Industry 4.0 technologies from the outset, including centralised cold room systems equipped with automated storage and retrieval systems, smart warehousing for packaging materials and data-enabled production and quality monitoring.
These capabilities are expected to improve productivity, reduce reliance on manual labour and strengthen food safety standards across operations.
Sustainability considerations have been integrated into the design and planning of QL Innofood Park, supporting Malaysia’s low-carbon and net-zero ambitions. These include solar photovoltaic installations, biomass boilers using agricultural waste, solid waste segregation facilities, and energy-efficient equipment, in line with QL Resources’ emphasis on environmental, social and governance principles and its approach to responsible production practices.
QL Innofood Park is also expected to have a broader contribution to the local community and economy.
Upon completion, it is projected to create about 3,000 direct jobs, benefiting the surrounding communities in Hilir Perak through long-term employment and skills development.
Structured training programmes are expected to develop technical competencies for a future-ready workforce, including skills in automation, digital manufacturing, and quality systems, to uplift Malaysia’s food production talent.
Aligned with Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030’s focus on modernisation, digitalisation, and sustainability, QL Innofood Park is envisioned to strengthen the halal manufacturing ecosystem, stimulate SME participation in the supply chain, and enhance the export competitiveness of value-added food products.
“QL Innofood Park is an important component of our growth strategy, and today marks the commencement of this exciting development that will contribute to the progress of the community, state and nation.
“We record our appreciation to Invest Perak, the Director of Land and Mines Perak, the District and Land Office Bagan Datuk, the Teluk Intan Municipal Council, and all other agencies that have provided their guidance and support in realising this project,” Chia said.
