Page 10 - FOS/Newsletter/Science@UM365March2021

ALUMNI

Dr. Teo Kim Teck

B.Sc.(Chemistry) (1993), M.Sc. (2000), Ph.D. (2020)
Founder and Managing Director of Polymeric Technology Sdn. Bhd.

"Be more adaptive and

realistic in conducting
business as well as be a
leader in a drastic

change in the business
environment."

Be inspired by the story of Dr. Teo Kim Teck, the Founder and In 2006, Polymeric Technology set up its first production

Managing Director of Polymeric Technology Sdn. Bhd., a purpose- line and expanded with a second production line

led globa l science-based company in Malaysia that rises as one of that began operation in 2008. In 2010, he successfully
the global leaders in specialty chemicals and major global completed setting up a pilot reaction plant. Dr. Teo

coating material player for the coating business . Dr. Teo graduated decided that Polymeric Technology would focus on competing
from Universiti Malaya for his B.Sc. degree majoring in on innovative research and development instead of
Chemistry in 1993. Subsequently, he started his career with Nippon capacity. Through extensive R&D works, Dr. Teo
Paint Malaysia as a chemist, after which he joined Croda Resin, a managed a technology breakthrough by developing a
British company as the techno-commercial manager holding functional thixotropic polymer. By using this new functional
responsibilities across the Asia-Pacific region. However, he felt like he polymer, the coating chemist is now able to produce a roller
could not get recognised in the early stage of his career, so he decided to able or brushable metallic coating using non leafing
undertake a Master of Science degree from Universiti Malaya to improve aluminium pigment which is not possible for conventional
himself and then look for a better job recognition. In year 2000, he formulation in the past. Now, Polymeric Technology has its
successfully completed his M.Sc. The passion of learning and exploring business network throughout the Asia Continent.
continues. He said that while working as a chemist at Nippon, he
received technical knowledge about paint applications, including the Product range: Polycryl®, Polygel®, Polykyd®,
limitations of coating formulation, which planted the seed of
innovation for his future. Driven with the motive and desire to Polythane®, Polynate® Polysil®
overcome the limitation in paint formulation technology, Dr. Teo
started researching on raw materials, which led him to conduct http://www.polymerictechnology.com/
doctorate-level research in polymer chemistry and attained his Ph.D.
from Universiti Malaya in the year 2020.
Emphasizing on Fundamentals for
Dr. Teo had been appointed as the General Manager in the
manufacturing unit of the UK based Globe Leigh's Paint in Malaysia Successful Outcomes
which specializes in Protective & Marine coating, a 70% owned by
Bursa Malaysia listed company, Gadang Holdings Bhd. However, Dr. A vital attribute for innovation arises from understanding the
Teo left Globe Leigh’s Paints for his career advancement after fundamentals of technology. In the chemical line, preparation
three years working there. During the time Dr. Teo wanted to leave, of correct components such as equipment setup and
the Gadang’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri utilization of advanced analytical instruments is the principal
Dato’ Kok Onn had discovered and appreciated his abilities and factor for positive results. Dr. Teo also emphasized that the
offered him to join venture his own business. Here starts the journey technology advancement is moving forward at fast pace
of Polymeric Technology Sdn. Bhd. which keep changing our world and lifestyle. By rejecting
them without any scientific basis, Dr. Teo said that "if we

According to Dr. Teo, Polymeric Technology Sdn. Bhd. started from understand chemistry, we will create more sustainable
a zero base, with one employee (i.e. himself) during its first two materials. Let us make our world more beautiful and
years, with no technology, no brand, little financing and no means to sustainable for our future generation”.
set up a manufacturing facility. Later, he found some financing
support from Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad Challenges
(MIDF) and started to produce the resin samples and engaged a
toll manufacturer to produce the resins in bulk quantity.Polymeric The main challenges Dr. Teo sees is to create a“own brand”
Technology supplied the toll manufacturer with the raw in this well established and dynamic chemical industry.
materials,the resinformulation, the technology and manufacturing According to him, to be one of the key players, the
processesfor it toperform the manufacturing work. company should provide the industry with strong
polymer technology development, and not just having the

“So, I proposed to set up a resins business toTanSri and two of my ability to produce a common resin as many others can do so

in the industry. Dr. Teo also shares that getting more human

friends join me as we established Polymeric Technology Sdn Bhd
assets particularly in technical team is another challenge for a

on 18 October 2004" new company focusing on technology development.

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