KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 10): Japanese sauce maker Otafuku has officially opened its RM50 million halal-certified factory and office in Sendayan TechValley of Negeri Sembilan.

The facility — which has a production capacity about eight times greater than the previous plant — marks a significant expansion to meet growing domestic demand and support exports to Asia, the Middle East and Europe, the company said in a statement.

Malaysia is the Southeast Asia hub of Otafuku and “we aim to deliver safe and reliable halal products to Muslim markets and beyond,” Chairman Naoyoshi Sasaki said in a statement.

Otafuku in Malaysia is operated by a joint venture between Otafuku Sauce Co Ltd and Texchem Resources Bhd’s (KL:TEXCHEM) subsidiary Sushi King Holdings Sdn Bhd.

The company manufactures over 100 halal-compliant products in Malaysia, including its flagship Okonomi Sauce. About 85% of its sales in Malaysia come from the domestic market and Otafuku also exports to markets such as Indonesia, Singapore, and the UK from Malaysia.

Indonesia remains a key growth market for Otafuku and the company plans to further expand its presence into the Middle East and Europe through participation in trade exhibitions and leveraging e-commerce platforms.

Otafuku’s additional investment in Sendayan is “a decision that powerfully affirms Malaysia’s role as the central hub for the global halal industry,” Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, chief executive officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, said in the same statement.

“This project perfectly aligns with our national agenda to attract high-value, quality investments, showcasing how a renowned Japanese company can leverage Malaysia’s rigorous halal ecosystem to serve both its Malaysian sales and expanding export markets,” he added.