SEOUL, 5 Dec – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through the UTM Construction Research Centre (UTM CRC), has achieved outstanding success at the Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF) 2025, bringing home two Special Awards, a Silver Medal, and a Bronze Medal. The achievement reinforces UTM’s leadership in advancing sustainable, efficient, and future-ready construction technologies on the international stage.
The team led by Ir. Ts. Dr. Nor Hasanah Abdul Shukor Lim garnered a Special Award from the National Research Council of Thailand, a Special Award from the Taiwan Innovation Association, and a Bronze Medal for their groundbreaking innovation, G-EASYMent: Geopolymer Easy Mix Cement. This environmentally friendly alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) marks a major step forward for low-carbon construction.
By replacing OPC and valorising palm oil waste, G-EASYMent significantly reduces embodied carbon emissions while supporting circular economy practices. Its ‘Easy Mix’ formulation improves user-friendliness and accelerates industry adoption, positioning it as a next-generation green binder that meets the growing demand for sustainable and high-performance construction materials.
Further enhancing its impact, G-EASYMent utilizes geopolymer technology made from industrial by-products such as fly ash, eliminating the need for limestone and dramatically cutting the carbon footprint. The innovation demonstrates how sustainable materials can be made practical, scalable, and economically viable for the construction industry.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Shek Poi Ngian and his team clinched a Silver Medal for SmartWall-Mod: Prefabricated Modular Wall System for Sustainable Construction. This pioneering system is engineered to transform conventional building methods by offering a construction approach that is faster, safer, and more environmentally friendly.
SmartWall-Mod replaces traditional columns and beams with a fully load-bearing modular wall system, enabling construction to be completed over 50% faster and at up to 30% lower cost. The system also removes the need for timber formwork and reduces on-site waste, aligning strongly with global green building standards. Manufactured with high precision, SmartWall-Mod promises superior strength, efficiency, and quality, making it ideal for multi-storey, affordable, and public buildings.
With excellent thermal and acoustic performance, the innovation is well-suited for modern housing needs, particularly in rapidly urbanising areas and post-disaster reconstruction.
The strong performance at SIIF 2025 — one of the world’s largest and most competitive invention fairs — reaffirms UTM CRC’s position as a global leader in construction research and innovation. The centre continues to develop high-impact, sustainable, and industry-driven solutions that address real-world challenges while elevating Malaysia’s reputation in international academic and industrial innovation.
