Did you know there is a key organisation in the country that oversees and manages 9,000 kilometers of highways and byways, ensuring they are safe and well-maintained for commuters? This critical and demanding task is handled by UEM Edgenta’s Infrastructure Services Division.
With over 35 years of experience in highway maintenance, UEM Edgenta provides strategic services for some of the nation’s major expressways, state roads, and rural routes.
Impressed by the company’s adoption of technology and innovative solutions in road maintenance, BusinessToday sat down with the division’s Managing Director, Shariman Yusuf Mohamed Zain, to discuss the company’s operations and sustainability initiatives.
Shariman shared how the company is incorporating sustainability and ESG standards into its operations, from its daily infrastructure maintenance to its longer-term investments in green technologies. As the largest maintainer of roads in Malaysia, the company said it plays a critical role in shaping how the country’s infrastructure contributes to environmental goals.
Adopting New Standards While Focusing On Safety.
With a history dating back to the 1980s, UEM Edgenta has established itself as the leading infrastructure maintenance company in Malaysia. The company is responsible for more than 1,000 kilometers of highways and an additional 8,000 kilometers of state and rural roads. Their work also extends internationally, with past projects in Indonesia, the Middle East, and other regions.
“Our primary mission is to ensure the comfort and safety of road users,” explained Shariman. “We maintain everything from the road pavement and signage to rest areas and emergency response systems. Safety is at the heart of our operations—whether it’s our maintenance teams or the thousands of daily commuters using these roads.”
But it’s not just about keeping roads functional. With the growing conversation around sustainability, UEM Edgenta has shifted its focus toward adopting greener solutions that reduce waste and improve efficiency across its operations.
In response to Malaysia’s 2050 net-zero target, UEM Edgenta has committed itself to an ambitious sustainability roadmap, with the first milestone being a 26% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. “For us, this journey started even before ESG became a buzzword,” Shariman noted. “But now, we’re more focused on capturing and tracking our sustainability initiatives under this framework.”
One of the key challenges UEM Edgenta faces is the sheer volume of waste generated from road maintenance activities, particularly from milling waste during road resurfacing. Recognising the need to manage this waste better, the company launched the country’s first Recycled Asphalt Premix (RAP) plant in Chenderiang, Tapah. This facility allows the company to reuse asphalt waste, significantly reducing the need for virgin materials in road resurfacing.
“Our RAP plant is a game-changer. It allows us to reduce our virgin material consumption by up to 30% in premix production,” Shariman said. “We’ve already successfully tested RAP mixes, and we’re looking to expand its usage to 50% or even higher in the future.”
UEM Edgenta’s research facility in Bukit Beruntung plays a crucial role in pushing the boundaries of sustainability. There, the company experiments with different RAP mixes, aiming to create a circular economy where materials can be reused repeatedly, reducing waste and energy consumption over time.
Innovation and Technology.
To ensure maintenance is efficient and targeted, UEM Edgenta relies on sophisticated data systems to assess road conditions. Using advanced tools such as Pavement Condition Assessments (PCA), the company continuously monitors the state of highways, identifying weak spots that require immediate attention.
“This data allows us to predict where maintenance is needed and to act before small issues become major problems,” said Shariman. “It’s all about optimising our resources and ensuring we deliver the best possible service with the least environmental impact.”
Moreover, the group has been exploring new technologies such as Weigh in Motion (WIM) systems, which can monitor vehicle overloading, a significant cause of road deterioration. “While the technology is still under consideration for widespread use in Malaysia, countries like Japan and Taiwan have already implemented it successfully,” Shariman said. “We believe that adopting such innovations can help us maintain road quality for longer periods and reduce the need for frequent repairs.”
When discussing sustainability, Shariman clarifies that it’s not just about recycling. Different solutions can offer longevity and efficiency without being traditionally labeled as “recycling.” For instance, UEM Edgenta uses various mixtures like crumb rubber and super fiber, which not only enhance the durability of infrastructure but also contribute to sustainability. By integrating aramid and polyolefin fibres, the key components used in Kevlar – synonymous with bulletproof vests – and other high-strength materials into their construction mixtures, they’ve extended the lifespan of certain road surfaces from four or five years to seven or more.
“This may not be great for maintenance contractors who thrive on frequent work, but for us, it’s a big win for sustainability,” Shariman quips. “It’s all about finding that balance between operational efficiency and sustainability.”
A critical component of UEM Edgenta’s sustainability strategy is the adoption of advanced technology. The introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) into their fleet is one such initiative. However, the transition hasn’t been without its hurdles. Shariman highlights how the instability of EV technology, particularly inconsistent battery life, poses challenges in operational settings where reliability is non-negotiable.
Despite these challenges, UEM Edgenta continues to test new technologies. From using specialised oil filters in their vehicles, reducing oil changes from every 5,000 kilometers to 20,000 kilometers, to exploring “glow-in-the-dark” road surfaces for enhanced safety and efficiency, they remain at the cutting edge of green innovation.
“I have a dedicated ‘tech brigade’ that is constantly scouting for new sustainable solutions,” says Shariman. The team’s focus on innovations that can be implemented only after rigorous proof-of-concept (POC) testing ensures that while they’re pushing boundaries, safety remains paramount.
Keeping Tab On Carbon Emissions.
One of UEM Edgenta’s recent projects involved a new plant that could reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 800 tons annually—equivalent to taking 200 cars off the road. This is an encouraging step forward, although Shariman is quick to point out that this represents the plant’s capacity rather than its current output, as regulatory approvals were only recently obtained.
This project is part of a broader initiative within the company to align itself with global sustainability goals, including reducing its carbon footprint and achieving net-zero emissions, in line with Malaysia’s national agenda.
Shariman also sheds light on UEM Edgenta’s collaborative approach with key stakeholders, particularly PLUS, Malaysia’s largest highway operator. UEM Edgenta’s role involves providing scope-three emissions services, where their efforts to incorporate sustainable materials and practices contribute to PLUS’s overall sustainability reporting.
“We’re part of their ecosystem, so anything we do needs to be done in consultation with them. If we’re using milling waste from their highways, we need their permission. It’s a collaboration,” Shariman explains. This holistic approach ensures that sustainability initiatives are integrated across the value chain.
The Road Ahead.
As UEM Edgenta continues to expand its operations, both locally and internationally, sustainability remains at the forefront of its strategy. With ongoing research into recycled materials, the use of advanced data systems, and a commitment to reducing carbon emissions, the company is not only keeping Malaysia’s roads safe but also leading the way in creating a greener, more sustainable future.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far, but there’s still much more to be done,” Shariman concluded. “Our goal is to continue innovating, not just for the sake of our business, but for the benefit of the environment and future generations.”
In the quest to achieve net-zero by 2050, UEM Edgenta’s efforts demonstrate that large-scale infrastructure maintenance can go hand in hand with sustainability. The company’s innovative approach serves as an example of how businesses can adapt to the challenges of climate change while continuing to grow and thrive.
In an evolving world where sustainability is at the forefront of business discussions, UEM Edgenta is making significant strides towards environmentally responsible practices. UEM Edgenta’s Shariman, in a candid conversation, shares how the company has integrated sustainability into its operational DNA, the challenges they face, and the innovative solutions they’re employing to navigate a greener future.
Shariman acknowledges that the shift towards sustainability isn’t just about technology and policy—it’s also about people “Small gestures, like replacing plastic bottles with water dispensers, send powerful messages,” Shariman says. These efforts, he believes, resonate more when employees experience them firsthand.
With over 20 years of experience across multinationals like Shell, Deloitte Consulting, Siemens, and General Electric, Shariman brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. His vision for UEM Edgenta is clear: to be a sustainable, profitable company that not only delivers shareholder returns but also positively impacts the environment and society.
UEM Edgenta’s sustainability efforts reflect a blend of innovation, collaboration, and pragmatism. With a strong focus on technology, a clear understanding of the challenges ahead, and a commitment to measurable impact, UEM Edgenta is well on its way to becoming a leader in sustainable infrastructure.
