BANDUNG, Oct 14 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through its Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT), has strengthened its international collaboration with Politeknik Negeri Bandung (POLBAN), Indonesia, through a knowledge and technology transfer initiative focused on plastic waste upcycling into value-added craft products.

Led by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Jamarosliza Jamaluddin of FKT UTM, the programme promotes sustainable waste management through practical upcycling techniques. The initiative involves fusing discarded plastic shopping bags and bubble wrap into durable, reusable plastic fabric sheets.

As part of the bilateral exchange, POLBAN Chemical Engineering students participated in hands-on workshops covering material sorting, plastic preparation and heat-fusing technology. Through these sessions, students learned to process low-value post-consumer plastics into workable sheets for crafting durable consumer goods.

The students subsequently transferred their newly acquired skills to the wider community through engagement activities in Garut, West Java. Working alongside Bank Sampah Amal Haqiqi and local residents in Ciburuy Village, Bayongbong District, they demonstrated the upcycling techniques and shared practical knowledge on turning plastic waste into reusable materials.

Through this initiative, low-value plastic waste such as shopping bags and bubble wrap can be transformed into functional materials for reusable bags and other creative goods. The activities show how accessible technologies can strengthen community-based waste management while supporting circular-economy practices.

The international knowledge transfer initiative builds on the Iskandar Puteri Low Carbon (IPRK) 6.0 Programme, supported by Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri (MBIP), Malaysia. Originally established to advance plastic waste recycling and community empowerment in Johor, the initiative has broadened its cross-border reach through collaboration with POLBAN. This expansion reflects UTM’s commitment to sharing knowledge, innovation and appropriate technologies internationally, while encouraging communities to view plastic waste as a resource rather than a disposal challenge.

Alongside the technology transfer activities, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Jamarosliza Jamaluddin was invited to moderate a parallel session at the 5th International Seminar of Science and Applied Technology (ISSAT 2026), hosted by POLBAN on 14 October 2026. The seminar, themed “Digital Transformation and Green Innovation for Sustainable Development”, provided a platform for academics, researchers and industry leaders to exchange insights on sustainable practices and technological innovation.

The academic partnership was further strengthened through guest lectures delivered by UTM academics, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rohah A Majid and Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosnani Hasham. Both speakers addressed POLBAN’s Diploma in Chemical Engineering students, sharing industry and research insights to broaden their perspectives beyond the standard curriculum.

The collaboration underscores UTM’s commitment to integrating education, research, innovation and community engagement to address environmental challenges. It also supports UTM’s enVision 2025 and ASCEND 2030 strategic aspirations through sustainable waste management, low-carbon practices, and international partnerships.

Furthermore, the initiative contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).