29 January 2026
Alliance Bank Unveils ESG Playbook to Help SME Manufacturers Accelerate Sustainable Growth
Press Release
Kuala Lumpur, 29 January 2026 - Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad (“Alliance Bank” or the “Bank”) today launched The ESG Playbook: Practical Steps for Manufacturing SMEs, a comprehensive guide for manufacturing SMEs to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices into their daily business operations. The ESG playbook provides manufacturers with practical strategies to balance sustainability with efficiency and growth, enabling them to strengthen resilience and unlock new opportunities.
Developed in collaboration with Monash University Malaysia, Zurich Malaysia, and strategic partners including Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA), Penang Green Council (PGC), and UN Global Compact Network Malaysia Brunei (UNGCMYB), this playbook features case studies of home-grown Malaysian SMEs showcasing successful ESG adoption across the manufacturing value chain.
Mr Kellee Kam, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank, said: “As ESG considerations become increasingly important for businesses, we see growing recognition of its role in strengthening business resilience, managing risks, and supporting long-term performance. For manufacturers, strong ESG adoption can drive cost efficiencies, open up new revenue or innovation opportunities, improve investor confidence, and build resilience across supply chains and regulatory environments. Through this ESG Playbook, Alliance Bank aims to translate these principles into practical, actionable guidance for SMEs. By drawing on real-world examples and clear frameworks, the playbook supports SMEs in moving from awareness to implementation, enabling them to embed sustainability into their operations in ways that deliver measurable business outcomes and long-term success.”
A key feature of the playbook is its in-depth case studies, which showcase how manufacturers are successfully applying ESG practices. Featured companies include Hexa Food Sdn Bhd, IGL Coatings, Thumbprints Utd Sdn Bhd, and Artmatrix Technology Sdn Bhd illustrating initiatives ranging from responsible sourcing and resource optimisation to governance improvements and social impact programs. In addition, six other SMEs, which are The Green Factory, Foodabox, Fire Fighter Industry Sdn Bhd, Geomax Rubber Innovative Products Sdn Bhd, Bioloop Sdn Bhd, and Emerging EPC Sdn Bhd are highlighted for their innovative ESG efforts. Together, these examples provide lessons and inspiration for SMEs seeking to strengthen sustainability while maintaining competitiveness.
The playbook introduces eight ESG leadership archetypes that reflect how Malaysian manufacturers are embedding sustainability across their operations. Drawn from research insights and real practices of local SMEs, these archetypes offer a practical way for businesses to understand their ESG strengths, identify their maturity level, and chart strategic pathways for transformation.
Aligned with its Acceler8 2027 strategy, Alliance Bank demonstrates its commitment to enabling manufacturers to progress meaningfully on their ESG journey. Through the Bank’s Sustainability Impact Programme (SIP), SMEs in the manufacturing sector receive targeted support, from practical banking solutions to beyond-banking guidance, helping them embed ESG practices not just for compliance, but as a strategic driver of sustainable, long-term business value, while also protecting the environment and uplifting the communities they serve. The bank has increased its sustainable banking ambition from RM15 billion to RM17 billion by FY28 to accelerate support for Malaysia’s manufacturing transition.
“Malaysia is on the path to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 through its National Energy Transition Roadmap, supported by the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 to drive renewable energy and greener industrial practices. The manufacturing sector, contributing around 23% of GDP in 2023, plays a vital role in the economy. For manufacturers and SMEs, adopting ESG practices is crucial, not only to support decarbonization, but also to enhance competitiveness, meet supply chain expectations, and align with national sustainability goals. Practical guidance and training help SMEs turn ESG awareness into action, building resilience and contributing to Malaysia’s Net Zero ambitions,” said Kellee Kam.
The ESG Playbook for Manufacturing SMEs is part of a broader series of ESG playbooks that will be developed for other key industry sectors. These playbooks form part of the efforts of the Innovation Impact Lab, launched in November 2025, which aims to drive greater adoption of circularity practices and to scale innovation in this area.
The ESG Playbook is now available for manufacturing SMEs and it provides practical guidance and real-world examples to help businesses embed ESG practices and drive long-term sustainable growth. The ESG Playbook can be downloaded from the QR code below:
Developed in collaboration with Monash University Malaysia, Zurich Malaysia, and strategic partners including Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA), Penang Green Council (PGC), and UN Global Compact Network Malaysia Brunei (UNGCMYB), this playbook features case studies of home-grown Malaysian SMEs showcasing successful ESG adoption across the manufacturing value chain.
Mr Kellee Kam, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank, said: “As ESG considerations become increasingly important for businesses, we see growing recognition of its role in strengthening business resilience, managing risks, and supporting long-term performance. For manufacturers, strong ESG adoption can drive cost efficiencies, open up new revenue or innovation opportunities, improve investor confidence, and build resilience across supply chains and regulatory environments. Through this ESG Playbook, Alliance Bank aims to translate these principles into practical, actionable guidance for SMEs. By drawing on real-world examples and clear frameworks, the playbook supports SMEs in moving from awareness to implementation, enabling them to embed sustainability into their operations in ways that deliver measurable business outcomes and long-term success.”
A key feature of the playbook is its in-depth case studies, which showcase how manufacturers are successfully applying ESG practices. Featured companies include Hexa Food Sdn Bhd, IGL Coatings, Thumbprints Utd Sdn Bhd, and Artmatrix Technology Sdn Bhd illustrating initiatives ranging from responsible sourcing and resource optimisation to governance improvements and social impact programs. In addition, six other SMEs, which are The Green Factory, Foodabox, Fire Fighter Industry Sdn Bhd, Geomax Rubber Innovative Products Sdn Bhd, Bioloop Sdn Bhd, and Emerging EPC Sdn Bhd are highlighted for their innovative ESG efforts. Together, these examples provide lessons and inspiration for SMEs seeking to strengthen sustainability while maintaining competitiveness.
The playbook introduces eight ESG leadership archetypes that reflect how Malaysian manufacturers are embedding sustainability across their operations. Drawn from research insights and real practices of local SMEs, these archetypes offer a practical way for businesses to understand their ESG strengths, identify their maturity level, and chart strategic pathways for transformation.
Aligned with its Acceler8 2027 strategy, Alliance Bank demonstrates its commitment to enabling manufacturers to progress meaningfully on their ESG journey. Through the Bank’s Sustainability Impact Programme (SIP), SMEs in the manufacturing sector receive targeted support, from practical banking solutions to beyond-banking guidance, helping them embed ESG practices not just for compliance, but as a strategic driver of sustainable, long-term business value, while also protecting the environment and uplifting the communities they serve. The bank has increased its sustainable banking ambition from RM15 billion to RM17 billion by FY28 to accelerate support for Malaysia’s manufacturing transition.
“Malaysia is on the path to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 through its National Energy Transition Roadmap, supported by the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 to drive renewable energy and greener industrial practices. The manufacturing sector, contributing around 23% of GDP in 2023, plays a vital role in the economy. For manufacturers and SMEs, adopting ESG practices is crucial, not only to support decarbonization, but also to enhance competitiveness, meet supply chain expectations, and align with national sustainability goals. Practical guidance and training help SMEs turn ESG awareness into action, building resilience and contributing to Malaysia’s Net Zero ambitions,” said Kellee Kam.
The ESG Playbook for Manufacturing SMEs is part of a broader series of ESG playbooks that will be developed for other key industry sectors. These playbooks form part of the efforts of the Innovation Impact Lab, launched in November 2025, which aims to drive greater adoption of circularity practices and to scale innovation in this area.
The ESG Playbook is now available for manufacturing SMEs and it provides practical guidance and real-world examples to help businesses embed ESG practices and drive long-term sustainable growth. The ESG Playbook can be downloaded from the QR code below:
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