USM PULAU PINANG, 3 February 2023 – A roof is an essential part of a building as it would provide protection for its occupants from the sun, rain and other elements.

Roofing materials made from metal have long been used in the making of roofs. However, the materials tend to be affected by rust after prolonged use.

Realising the need to produce more resilient roofing materials, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) researcher, Professor Ir. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar and her team have succeeded in acquiring a grant of RM186,300 under the Malaysia-Spain Innovating Programme (MySIP).

The project is a collaborative work between researchers from USM and the industry in Malaysia, together with industry partners from Spain.

Funding for the project originates from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) (for researchers from universities in Malaysia), Malaysian Industry Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) (for industries in Malaysia) and the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology, e.p.e. (CDTI), Spain (for industries in Spain).

"The two-year research aims to formulate new materials by combining natural fibres, recycled plastics and additives to produce more environment-friendly roofing materials.

"Production of the environment-friendly roofing materials is expected to lower the price of roofing materials, as the cost of raw materials such as recycled plastics and natural fibres are low," said Mariatti, who is also the Dean of the USM School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering.

Additionally, this project could bring in the element of sustainability into the construction industry as well as contributing to the circular economy, which is in line with the Malaysia Plastic Sustainability Roadmap 2021–2030 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin