This M'sian Company Offers Eco Caskets Made Of Recycled Paper To Protect The Environment
Eco Casket Manufacturer Malaysia aims to revolutionise the local funeral industry and lower its carbon footprint.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 04 Apr 2024, 05:35 PM
If you or your family members are concerned about the environmental impact of funerals and wish to minimise pollution after death, this Malaysian company offers a solution
Eco Casket Manufacturer Malaysia specialises in crafting coffins constructed from corrugated paper, aptly named eco caskets.
The caskets are made with mostly recycled materials, with the primary component being their proprietary, patented cardboard known as Finoboard.
So, what is Finoboard?
Finoboard is an ISO-certified cardboard made from vertically stacked corrugated industrial papers, forming hard wood-like planks.
Invented by the Eco Casket Manufacturer Malaysia co-founder Richard Tan, the material can endure weights of up to 700kg for more than a week, as demonstrated by Tan during a factory tour with SAYS recently.
The remaining materials of the eco caskets consist of 12% plywood and fabric. No solvent-based paint or formaldehyde is used, resulting in an odourless product.
Tan said people often confuse the smell of conventional caskets with that of the deceased.
"People always feel uncomfortable at wake ceremonies because of the 'smell' of the deceased, but it's actually the smell of the chemicals used in wood caskets," he explained
He argued that his company's eco caskets create a better environment for the deceased's family during difficult times.
Tan's eco caskets are about 60% lighter than the conventional caskets and use fewer materials
Because of their lightweight nature, they contribute to savings in transportation costs.
Additionally, since Finoboard requires less effort to burn, it also reduces the need for crematorium maintenance.
When asked about the inspiration behind the product, Jonn Ong, the co-founder and managing director of Eco Casket Manufacturer Malaysia, said it stemmed from a combination of environmental concerns, consumer demand, and innovation in the funeral industry.
From left to right: Eco Casket Manufacturer Malaysia's chief marketing officer Jim Loo, as well as its co-founders Richard Tan and Jonn Ong.
Image via postimg.ccOng clarified that the eco caskets are sold directly to bereavement service companies, as they operate on a business-to-business basis
Xiao En, which has memorial parks in Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, includes Eco Casket Manufacturer Malaysia's products in their columbarium package.
Beloved Pets Heaven Memorial is another company that uses their eco caskets.
"Soon, we will be talking with well-established bereavement companies from Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand. Currently, one of Malaysia's largest bereavement companies is negotiating with us too.
"This year, we're prepared to export the eco caskets to Australia, Japan, the UK, the US, and some Southeast Asian countries," Ong said.
Eco Casket Manufacturer Malaysia's factory in Sepang, Selangor, has the capacity to produce approximately 50 eco caskets per day
However, if demand grows due to successful deals with bereavement companies, they are ready to relocate the manufacturing line to a new facility capable of producing up to 200 eco caskets per day.
Ong and Tan observe a rising interest in eco-friendly caskets among non-Muslim Malaysians, despite the common practice of buying coffins through bereavement service providers.
They encourage customers to request sustainable alternatives from these companies to include eco caskets in their existing funeral packages and ultimately make the funeral industry more sustainable.
