Sarawak potential site for aircraft assembly plant

July 7,2025

By:JACK WONG

KUCHING: Sarawak could emerge as the next location for the final assembly of VoltAero’s Cassio family of hybrid-electric aircraft under a tripartite agreement inked between the French manufacturer, SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd and French specialist engineering business ACI Groupe.

SEDC Energy is wholly-owned by Sarawak State Economic Development Corp.

The parties’ shared vision is to establish a Cassio aircraft assembly facility and innovation centre in Sarawak under the letter of intent or LOI signed in Rochefort, France on July 2.

Other key elements of the collaboration include training local technicians and engineers in France and Malaysia, and creating a pilot training academy with flight stimulators.

The agreement also outlines technology transfer, the establishment of a local supply chain, local maintenance capabilities and joint development in hydrogen propulsion and sustainable aviation fuels.

The project will grant the SEDC Energy-ACI Groupe joint venture manufacturing and distribution rights for the Cassio aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region, along with plans to deploy mobile charging solutions at regional airports and conduct demonstration flights to raise public awareness on electric-hybrid aviation.

VoltAero’s Cassio aircraft family, under development as a reliable and versatile product line, is designed for regional commercial operators, air taxi and charter services, private owners and utility applications including cargo, postal delivery and medical evacuation.

The family will include the Cassio 300 (four passengers), Cassio 480 (six seats) and Cassio 600 (10 to 12 seats).

As part of the partnership, SEDC Energy and ACI Groupe have expressed interest in acquiring an equity stake in VoltAero to become strategic investors to lay the foundation for clean aviation development across the Asia-Pacific region.

The joint venture between them will have the manufacturing and distribution rights for Cassio aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region, according to VoltAero.

Its initial production line is in Rochefort, western France, and the facility was inaugurated in November 2024.

“Establishing a regional hub in Malaysia allows us to expand production, meet regional demand and transfer technology and skills to a key part of the world embracing sustainable aviation.

“This partnership is a major milestone for VoltAero and the global transition to air transportation with reduced emissions,” said VoltAero chief executive officer (CEO) and chief technical officer Jean Botti.

SEDC Energy chairman Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Husain said through the collaboration with VoltAero, Malaysia will be at the forefront of next-generation aviation manufacturing and clean energy development.

“This supports regional ambitions to position Malaysia as a green aviation hub, aligned with national goals for decarbonisation, technology transfer and skilled workforce development,” he said.

SEDC Energy is exploring the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pilot plant with an initial capacity of 15,000 tonnes per annum via partnership with Swiss technology leader Sulzer, using the latter’s cutting-edge Bioflux technology.

On July 2, 2025, SEDC Energy formalised the partnership with a memorandum of understanding with Sulzer and Apeiron Bioenergy on the SAF pilot plant project.

Singapore-based Apeiron is an integrated global player in biofuels from waste-based feedstock to end-products.

SEDC Energy and Gentari, a clean energy solutions provider, is also currently involved in a joint venture to undertake the development, construction, maintenance and control of the Sarawak H2 Hub in Bintulu.

This includes investing in the hydrogen production trains within the hub.

The Sarawak H2 Hub will be a facility for standardising and optimising all hydrogen production projects in the area, besides being the sole supplier of green hydrogen for downstream facilities in the region.

Abdul Aziz also highlighted Sarawak’s unique position as a leader in sustainable technology.

ACI Groupe president and CEO Philippe Riviere said his company was proud to partner with VoltAero and SEDC Energy to bring electric-hybrid aviation to the Asia-Pacific region.

“This project reflects our shared belief in a clean, connected future and global air transport,” added Riviere.