Green-Mem · Pioneering Membrane Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Conventional polymer membranes are predominantly fossil-based, non-biodegradable, and fabricated with toxic solvents that pose risks to both human health and the environment. This creates a paradox where technologies intended for water treatment contribute to pollution. To overcome these challenges, there is an urgent need for environmentally sustainable, innovative membranes designed according to green chemistry and engineering principles. Green-Mem aims to pioneer fully bio-based and biodegradable membranes using renewable resources such as cellulose, chitosan, and natural fibres, replacing fossil-based polymers and hazardous solvents. The project will combine material science with machine learning (ML) to predict and optimise membrane properties, enabling scalable, energy-efficient fabrication while ensuring mechanical stability, biocompatibility, and high performance. Targeted applications include water treatment, antimicrobial filtration, and other areas requiring safe and selective separations.The consortium brings together 11 partners (6 academic, 5 non-academic) from Belgium, Türkiye, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, and Malaysia in an international, inter-sectoral, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Academic and industrial partners will jointly develop novel material combinations, optimise fabrication methods, and validate operational performance through pilot demonstrations. LCA and TEA will guide sustainable design, ensuring circularity and end-of-life strategies.Beyond scientific and technical innovation, Green-Mem is committed to open science, gender equality, and capacity building. Structured staff exchanges will foster knowledge transfer, enhance researcher skills, and create lasting research collaborations. By advancing eco-designed, recyclable membranes and aligning with the European Green Deal, the project supports sustainable growth, environmental leadership, and Europe’s global position in the circular materials economy.