The Mobula 8 in action in Kota Kinabalu

May 5, 2025

It’s official: the Mobula 8, the plastic collection boat financed by Interparfums, is now fully operational off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. Managed by our local partner, the Marine Research Foundation, the vessel is entering a new strategic phase in an ambitious project to combat plastic pollution at sea.

This step forward is not an isolated one. It is part of a wider partnership with the government of Kota Kinabalu, which recently formalized its commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Marine Research Foundation. For the first time, local Malaysian authorities are officially supporting a field program designed to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems.

Every day, the Mobula 8 patrols the coastline to collect floating plastic waste, while also playing an awareness-raising role with local communities. Thanks to this active presence, the project benefits from enhanced visibility with political decision-makers, paving the way for more ambitious public policies on environmental protection.