MIRI: Curtin University Malaysia clinched top honours at the 2025 Curtinnovation Awards in Perth, Australia, winning the coveted Curtin Global Award for a breakthrough project that turns waste into next-generation bioplastics.
The winning entry, ‘Waste to Bioplastic – Transforming Waste Biomass into Next-Gen Bioplastics’, was led by Associate Professor Tan Inn Shi alongside colleagues, Associate Professor Henry Foo Chee Yew, Ir Tian Foon Howe, Dr Kevin Tian Xiang Tong, and Associate Professor Lam Man Kee.
Their green bioprocess impressed judges with its ability to tackle two pressing environmental problems at once: plastic pollution and agricultural waste.
By applying ozonolysis and dilute acid treatment, the team developed a way to convert marine macroalgae and oil palm empty fruit bunches into fermentable sugars.
These sugars are then fermented microbially to produce high-purity lactic acid – the raw material for biodegradable plastics.
“This project not only offers a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics but also creates a value-adding pathway for agricultural waste,” said Tan.
“It supports the circular economy and strengthens Malaysia’s role in renewable bioprocess technologies.”
Curtin Malaysia beat 108 other submissions to secure the award, one of only 19 finalists across nine categories.
Curtin Malaysia’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Vincent Lee, described the award as “a prestigious recognition of the creativity and dedication of our researchers”, and said it reinforced the campus’ reputation as a hub for innovation.
This is far from Curtin Malaysia’s first success at the Curtinnovation Awards.
In 2021, Associate Professor Agus Saptoro and PhD student, Terence Chia Yi Kai, were recognised for AgriSmartEye, a hyperspectral imaging and AI tool to detect adulteration in black pepper.
Two years later, Dr Christine Yeo Wan Sieng and PhD student, Eric Chua Yong Hong, took home an award for Pine Sense, an AI-driven method to predict pineapple quality from skin colour.
Curtinnovation is Curtin University’s annual showcase of research with commercial potential, highlighting work across its campuses in Malaysia, Dubai, Singapore, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.
The latest win firmly positions Curtin Malaysia at the forefront of sustainable technology and environmental research, demonstrating how bold ideas can translate into practical solutions to global challenges.
