JOHOR BAHRU, 10 July — Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has set a new standard in engineering education with the successful completion of its 5th Verbund Plant Design Project, themed “The Net-Zero Emission Verbund Eco-Industrial Park Design Project.” This initiative, organised by the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT) in collaboration with the UTM Road to National Chemical Engineering Symposium (NACES) 2025, redefines how future engineers are trained to achieve global sustainability goals.
Unlike traditional plant design assignments where students work independently, UTM’s approach encourages collaboration among students from various design groups. They form Verbund Teams—larger units that work together to create interconnected chemical plants. These plants share resources, exchange by-products, and function within an integrated value chain, simulating the structure of real-world eco-industrial parks based on principles of a circular economy and industrial symbiosis.
“This project is not just about designing a plant; it’s about designing a future,” stated Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hajar Alias, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering. “Students are exposed to systems-level thinking that extends beyond the classroom. They learn how to integrate sustainability, technical expertise, and cross-functional collaboration—all essential qualities for the engineers of tomorrow.”
Over two semesters, a total of 160 final-year students from the chemical engineering program participated in the project. Seventeen industrial supervisors provided mentorship, while 18 professionals served as members of the evaluation panel. The participating companies included Petronas, BASF, SD Guthrie, Dialog Terminals, Repsol, Jacob Douwe Egbert, PrefChem, Synthomer, FGV Holdings Berhad, Forum Energy Technologies, MSM Sugar Refinery, Bunge Loders Croklaan, Superfood Specialist, and Engineering & Spiritual Education, among others.
Dr. Nagendran Lelchumanan of SD Guthrie International, representing the industrial supervisors, emphasised that the project extends well beyond an academic requirement. “This experience closely resembles the realities of the industry. The decisions students made, their collaboration, and the pressure they encountered—this is what real engineering looks like. I reminded them that this is just the beginning of their journey, and the mindset they have developed here will serve them well in the future.”
The top honour went to Verbund Team 6, which won the Best Verbund Design Award (1st Place). Team Project Manager Muhammad Akmal Mohd Faisal described the journey as transformative. “At first, we didn’t even know where to start—how to choose a reaction pathway, site, or layout. But one lesson changed everything: always ask why,” he said. “Every decision, from plant configuration to identifying the anchor plant, had to be justified. That emphasis on critical thinking shaped our team and captured the panel’s attention.”
Other awards included 2nd and 3rd Place for Best Verbund Design, as well as Best Design Team (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place) and Best Design Team for each parallel session, recognising outstanding technical design, integration, and collaboration.
Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Sharifah Rafidah Wan Alwi, the Head Coordinator for the project, congratulated the students: “You are now VERBUNDners—engineers who possess not only knowledge but also vision, purpose, and the ability to lead transformation.”
As the event concluded, it became evident that UTM’s Verbund Plant Design Project is more than just a capstone; it serves as a launchpad for a new generation of engineers poised to power a net-zero future.