From UTM research to global markets: ZetaTech advances carbon innovation

Ts. Dr. Rozzeta Dolah

📝 Summary

ZetaTech, a UTM spin-off company, has developed a next-generation nano-additive platform called ZECOA, which captures carbon dioxide, reflects heat, and provides thermal insulation. The technology has the potential to be integrated into various materials and applications, and has already received recognition and engagement from several organizations. ZetaTech’s commercialization efforts have been supported by research funding, intellectual property, and industry collaboration, and the company is now targeting wider market access and production capacity.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) continues to strengthen its research commercialisation ecosystem through ZetaTech Sdn. Bhd., a UTM spin-off company founded by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Rozzeta Dolah, whose innovations in nanotechnology are being developed for applications in carbon management, energy efficiency and sustainable materials.

UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim (7th from left), together with other members of UTM’s senior management, visits the ZetaTech exhibition booth, demonstrating the university’s leadership commitment to supporting technology commercialisation

The company introduced its ZECOA™ Carbon Capture Nano Additive platform at the ZetaTech Global Innovation Showcase 2026, held in conjunction with the University Research and Innovation Investment Summit (URIIS 2026) at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur on 22 September 2026. The showcase also featured a strategic tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NanoViz Group Sdn. Bhd. and Euro-Circuit Technology Sdn. Bhd. (ECT), alongside Malaysia Book of Records recognition for the First Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Adsorbent Paint 2026.

Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) Chairman, Tan Sri Abd Rahman Mamat, officially launches ZECOA™ – Carbon Capture Nano Additive; witnessed and supported by key stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem

Tripartite MoU signing between Founder and Managing Director of Zetatech Sdn. Bhd., Dr. Rozzeta Dolah (centre); with Founder and Managing Director of Euro-Circuit Technology (ECT) Sdn. Bhd., Noor Hisham Ab Hamid (2nd right); and Founder and CEO of NanoViz Group Sdn. Bhd., Christopher Nghia Do (2nd left)

ZECOA™ is a next-generation nano-additive platform developed to combine carbon dioxide adsorption, heat reflection and thermal insulation functionalities. It is designed for integration into different material systems, including paint and coatings, construction materials, automotive components and industrial surfaces. The technology aims to extend the use of functional nanomaterials beyond conventional coating applications and support the development of materials with improved thermal performance.

The platform builds on ZetaTech’s earlier product, MIZU PAINT™, a multifunctional nanocoating developed to provide passive cooling, heat reflection and CO₂ adsorption on building surfaces. The company’s work has included industrial applications with Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn. Bhd. (PROLINTAS) on the Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (SILK) and Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway (LKSA), covering a reported combined painted area of 7,330 square metres. The company has also reported recognition or engagements involving NanoVerify, Malaysia Science, Technology and Innovation (MySTI), Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) Eco Label, Public Works Department (JKR) and Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia (CIDB) SustainBuild Mark. MIZU PAINT™ was also selected as a finalist for the UTM Vice-Chancellor’s Innovation Award (AINC).

Assoc. Prof. Ts. ChM Dr. Hjh. Rozzeta Dolah proudly showcases the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) recognition awarded to MIZU PAINT™ for achieving the title of “First Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Adsorbent Paint 2026”

The research underpinning the technology received RM161,768 through a Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) project titled “Fundamental Study of Renewable Biomass Nanocoating for Passive Cooling in Green Building Construction”. In addition to supporting the research, the project contributed to postgraduate talent development through the training of a PhD student. The research outcomes provided a foundation for subsequent product development, testing and commercialisation.

ZetaTech’s development also reflects the research journey of its founder, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Rozzeta Dolah. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemical Technology from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and a Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing Technology) from UTM. She completed her PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Meiji University, Japan, before undertaking a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.

Her experience in research and innovation across Malaysia, Japan and the United States informed her ambition to bridge academic research and industrial application through ZetaTech. Her contributions have also been recognised through the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award and inclusion in the Eco-Business A-List 2022.

“Research should not end with publications, laboratory results or research grants. The real challenge is to translate scientific discoveries into technologies that industries can adopt, markets can value and society can benefit from. We want to demonstrate that Malaysian-developed deep technology can compete and create value on the global stage,” she said.

The company’s commercialisation efforts have been supported by a RM500,000 Cradle Investment Programme (CIP) SPRINT grant from Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd., which has helped advance its work beyond proof of concept towards certification, market validation and industrial engagement. ZetaTech is also targeting production capacity of up to 100,000 litres per month as it explores manufacturing partnerships, investment and wider market access.

The company’s selection as one of 12 businesses for the inaugural Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) Malaysia 2026 cohort marks another step in this journey. Funded by the United Kingdom Government through its International Climate Finance programme and implemented by PwC Malaysia, CFA provides tailored technical and financial support to help low-carbon businesses strengthen their investment propositions and engage potential investors. The programme’s investor engagement event is scheduled for November 2026.

The tripartite MoU with NanoViz Group and ECT is intended to strengthen manufacturing readiness, commercial development, distribution and access to international supply chains. Together, these initiatives support ZetaTech’s ambition to expand the applications of ZECOA™ and bring Malaysian-developed technology to wider markets.

ZetaTech and Euro-Circuit Technology engage with Bahrain’s construction industry stakeholders to explore strategic collaboration and opportunities to expand into Bahrain’s paint and coatings market

ZetaTech’s progress illustrates how university research can move from laboratory development towards industrial application through research funding, intellectual property, talent development and industry collaboration. The company’s journey also reflects UTM’s commitment to translating research outcomes into solutions with economic and societal value, in line with the university’s UTM ASCEND 2030 aspirations and its tagline, “Innovating Sustainable Solutions.”