The Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) proudly announces that its Director, Prof. Ts. Dr. Juhana Jaafar, has been awarded a prestigious research grant from the European Research Executive Agency (REA) under the highly competitive Horizon Europe.

The grant will support the three-year project titled Pioneering Membrane Solutions for a Sustainable Future (Green-Mem), which will run from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2029. The total funding for this project amounts to €135,270, approximately RM646,725. This accomplishment marks a major milestone for AMTEC and UTM, highlighting their growing presence in international sustainable membrane research.

Conventional polymer membranes, commonly used in water treatment, are largely fossil-based, non-biodegradable, and produced using toxic solvents. These materials pose risks to human health and the environment, creating a paradox where water treatment technologies contribute to pollution. Green-Mem seeks to address this challenge by developing fully bio-based and biodegradable membranes using renewable resources such as cellulose, chitosan, and natural fibres.

The project integrates materials science with machine learning to predict and optimise membrane properties. This approach allows scalable and energy-efficient fabrication while maintaining mechanical stability, biocompatibility, and high performance. The membranes developed under Green-Mem will be suitable for applications in water treatment, antimicrobial filtration, and other processes requiring safe and selective separations. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA) will guide the design to ensure circularity, sustainability, and responsible end-of-life strategies.

Green-Mem brings together eleven partners, comprising six academic and five non-academic institutions from Belgium, Türkiye, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, and Malaysia. This international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral consortium strengthens Malaysia’s engagement in European research while fostering collaboration across diverse scientific and industrial fields.

“Our international partnerships have been key in turning innovative research into real-world solutions and fostering knowledge exchange across borders.” – Prof. Ts. Dr. Juhana Jaafar

Since 2017, AMTEC’s partnerships with these institutions have produced significant achievements. These include joint publications in high-impact journals, co-development of green membrane fabrication protocols, supervision of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers, and structured staff exchanges to facilitate knowledge transfer. Pilot-scale demonstrations and industry validation have helped translate laboratory research into practical applications, while participation in international conferences has enhanced the visibility of AMTEC and UTM globally. Technology transfer initiatives, capacity-building programs, and sustainability integration through LCA and TEA have further strengthened the impact of these collaborations.

Strategic networking has also been a key factor in Green-Mem’s success. Prof. Mustafa Ersoz from Selcuk University, who leads the European Union (EU) programme, formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AMTEC through the secured Research Fellow Grant in 2022, led by Prof. Ts. Dr Juhana, where one of the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) of the Research Grant is an international MoU. Prof. Ersoz has been invited to deliver keynote speeches at AMTEC-organised international conferences, including RCOM2024 and AMS15, while Prof. Ts. Dr. Juhana Jaafar has been invited to speak at Selcuk University-hosted events such as ACS2023 and Engineered Surfaces and Films for Emerging Technologies 2024. These interactions have strengthened bilateral research partnerships, expanded professional networks, and enhanced UTM’s international profile.

The Horizon Europe grant has a significant impact on Prof. Ts. Dr. Juhana Jaafar. It recognises her leadership in sustainable membrane technology, provides access to European research networks, and enables her to lead high-impact international collaborations. It also allows her to mentor and train early-career researchers in advanced membrane science.

For AMTEC, the grant reinforces its status as a regional centre of excellence, strengthens expertise in bio-based and biodegradable membranes, expands international collaborations, and enhances mobility and training for researchers. For UTM, it elevates the university’s global research reputation, supports participation in European-funded initiatives, and aligns institutional priorities with sustainability, innovation, and technology translation.

Green-Mem also contributes to global sustainability efforts and supports the European Green Deal by advancing eco-designed, recyclable membranes. By combining circular economy principles with advanced materials research, the project positions AMTEC and UTM as leaders in sustainable membrane innovation.

This achievement demonstrates Malaysia’s growing capability to contribute solutions to critical environmental challenges while highlighting AMTEC and UTM’s commitment to conducting world-class research with practical societal and environmental impact.