Porous membranes are used to filter and separate materials in the chemical industry, wastewater treatment, and food production. Most are manufactured using chemicals derived from fossil sources, such as oil and natural gas, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

KAUST researchers have now developed a method that relies entirely on renewable, bio-based materials for membrane production, offering an environmentally friendly alternative.

More than 400 million tonnes of oil are used each year to manufacture polymers, accounting for about six percent of global oil production. Some of these polymers are turned into membranes — porous films that can separate solids, liquids or gases — which typically consume less energy than traditional heat-based separation methods. Only a small fraction of polymers come from sustainable plant-based materials, and these still require fossil-derived solvents to convert them into membranes.

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