Global Research Team Builds Gold-Winning Eco-Blocks
November 7, 2025 | Campus News
When research transcends borders and institutions join forces toward a common goal, innovation thrives. A collaborative team of researchers from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), and the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, has demonstrated how global partnerships can generate real-world solutions for both industry and the environment.
Supported by an internal grant from TAR UMT’s Faculty of Built Environment (FOBE), the research exemplifies how multidisciplinary collaboration can address critical sustainability challenges. The team—led by TAR UMT’s Principal Researcher Dr Shantha Kumari Munyandi and Co-Researchers Sr Dr Gunavathy a/p Kanniyapan, as well as Lt Col (R) Ir Ts Dr Vikneswaran Munikanan (UPNM), and Dr Chamod Hettiarachchi (University of Moratuwa), developed their award-winning project, ‘ECO-BLOCKS: Turning Industrial and Agricultural Waste into Sustainable Lightweight Concrete’. The team worked under the guidance of Ts Gunalaan Vasudevan, Programme Leader from FOBE, who is also one of the Co-Researchers.
The eco-friendly blocks combine industrial alum sludge ash and agricultural coconut shell waste. The project bridges scientific innovation with practical applications in construction. The team’s recent win of a Gold Medal in Category B (Construction and Materials) at the International Innovation and Invention Competition Through Exhibition (iCompEx 2025), is a step forward that cements the value of this research.
The team’s findings offer promising applications for reducing waste, conserving natural resources, and cutting carbon emissions. With Malaysia’s water treatment plants generating about 2 million tonnes of alum sludge annually and the coconut industry producing over 350,000 tonnes of waste, this research demonstrates how low-value by-products can be transformed into valuable construction materials. By replacing a portion of cement and aggregate with these waste materials, the eco-blocks can reduce CO? emissions by up to 30%, support circular economy practices, and promote green construction.
“This collaboration began through shared academic exchanges and has evolved into a meaningful partnership that combines Malaysian and Sri Lankan expertise,” said Dr Shantha. She added that the project is distinctive in its integration of two different types of waste materials—industrial sludge and agricultural by-products—into a single concrete mix, something that has not been widely explored before. This approach not only reduces landfill waste but also transforms low-value by-products into a material with real potential for sustainable construction. In addition, this research also examined the toxicity levels and durability of the material, ensuring that it is not only environmentally safe but also reliable for practical applications in the industry.
From an international perspective, Dr Chamod noted: “The use of industrial and agricultural waste to create eco-blocks directly addresses two pressing challenges: waste management and sustainable material development. Beyond environmental benefits, these blocks have the potential for cost-effectiveness and enhanced performance, making them attractive to industry. The success of this research will definitely open pathways for our universities, in terms of scaling up, prototyping, and exploring commercialisation opportunities.”
Lt Col (R) Ir Ts Dr Vikneswaran further highlighted the broader implications:
“This research illustrates how academia can drive sustainable industry practices. Our findings not only contribute to greener construction methods but also offer insights that may influence policy and support government sustainability agendas. Such academic–industry–government partnerships are critical for creating scalable, environmentally responsible, and economically viable solutions.”
The team’s success at iCompEx 2025 marks another milestone in their ongoing pursuit of impactful research. They have previously won gold awards at the Borneo International Innovation Competition 2024, the 13th International Invention, Innovation & Design Competition (INDES) 2024, and iCompEx 2024.
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