Loong Khoon Tan leads Asia Green Wood’s shift to bioenergy

The company’s shift centers on a new, high-temperature processing machine that converts wood waste into biochar and syngas rather than traditional smoke. By heating waste to 1,200 degrees Celsius, the system generates clean electricity while producing 2,400–3,000 metric tons of biochar annually. This process is projected to reduce grid dependence by 90 percent and provide a gross climate benefit of up to 15,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. Beyond technology, Tan has restructured the supply chain to ensure 90 percent of materials come from sustainable, PEFC-certified forests using low-impact logging equipment.

Internal operations have undergone a similar overhaul. Tan replaced a blame-heavy culture with a collaborative model, empowering staff to solve problems across departments. The company now leverages semi-automation and AI-driven visual sensors to optimize manufacturing efficiency, moving away from high-volume, low-margin output. By prioritizing relationship-based sales in markets like the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States, Tan aims to move the firm into higher-end tiers. His strategy rests on a core philosophy: businesses must address social and environmental challenges to create long-term value, rather than chasing profit in isolation.