Advancing Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Technologies for a Low-Carbon Construction Industry
Dr. Nur Hafizah Abd Khalid is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), specialising in Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies for sustainable construction materials. Her research integrates cement and concrete technology, carbon mineralisation, materials engineering, and industrial innovation to transform captured carbon dioxide (CO₂) into value-added construction materials that contribute to Malaysia’s low-carbon transition and net-zero aspirations.
Her research focuses on developing carbon-negative and low-carbon construction materials through accelerated CO₂ mineralisation, carbonated artificial aggregates, carbon-cured concrete, and other cement-based products capable of permanently storing CO₂ while enhancing engineering performance. She is actively involved in advancing these technologies from fundamental research to pilot-scale demonstration and commercialisation through Technology Readiness Level (TRL) development and close collaboration with industry partners.
Research Leadership
Dr. Nur Hafizah leads multidisciplinary research in sustainable construction materials, with particular emphasis on CO₂ mineralisation, carbonated cementitious materials, lightweight artificial aggregates, concrete technology, accelerated carbonation, and industrial technology commercialisation.
She actively mentors and supervises postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, postgraduate students, and undergraduate students across multiple high-impact research and industry-funded projects. Through these initiatives, she cultivates the next generation of researchers and engineers while fostering collaborative research that addresses real-world challenges in sustainable construction and carbon management.
Her research programme bridges fundamental materials science with engineering practice, ensuring that innovations developed in the laboratory are translated into scalable technologies for industrial implementation, pilot-scale validation, and commercial adoption through close collaboration with industry and government partners.
PETRONAS-Academia Collaboration Dialogue (PACD) Research Programme
A significant milestone in her research career was securing a research grant of approximately RM1 million under the PETRONAS–Academia Collaboration Dialogue (PACD), funded by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS)- a Malaysian multinational oil and gas company.
The research programme focuses on developing advanced Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies capable of permanently storing captured carbon dioxide within construction materials. The project encompasses laboratory-scale innovation, prototype development, Technology Readiness Level (TRL) advancement, pilot-scale validation, and industry deployment.
Beyond advancing scientific knowledge, the programme supports Malaysia’s national decarbonisation agenda by providing practical CCUS solutions for the construction industry while strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.
Establishment of the CCUS Laboratory
The success of the PACD programme led to the establishment of the first dedicated Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Laboratory for construction materials at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). It is recognised as the first CCUS laboratory of its kind at the Faculty, at UTM, and in Malaysia, specifically designed to support research, innovation, and technology development in CCUS for construction materials.
Developed under Dr. Nur Hafizah’s leadership, the laboratory serves as a dedicated research and innovation hub for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage technologies. The facility supports research on accelerated carbonation, CO₂ curing systems, carbon mineralisation, advanced materials characterisation, and industrial-scale validation of sustainable construction materials.
The laboratory also functions as a centre for postgraduate research, industrial collaboration, technology demonstration, and professional training, providing an integrated ecosystem for CCUS research and innovation.
Today, the CCUS Laboratory continues to strengthen UTM’s research capacity in sustainable infrastructure while supporting collaborative projects with government agencies and industrial partners.
National Innovation Recognition – INNOVATHON Season 3
Building upon the research outcomes generated through the CCUS programme, Dr. Nur Hafizah successfully translated laboratory innovation into a nationally recognised technology through INNOVATHON Season 3, a national innovation competition and reality television programme organised by ASTRO in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy to accelerate the commercialisation of high-impact Malaysian innovations.
Together with her multidisciplinary team, she developed STONEVA, an innovative CO₂ Mortar technology capable of permanently mineralising carbon dioxide within cement-based construction materials while maintaining structural performance and long-term durability.
The innovation achieved 4th Place at the national level and was subsequently awarded RM250,000 in commercialisation development funding by the Ministry of Economy through Cradle Sdn. Bhd.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Advancement through Spin-Off Company
Several technologies developed under her research programme have successfully reached Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL4) and are currently progressing towards higher TRLs to accelerate commercialisation. With commercialisation funding and strategic support from the Ministry of Economy through Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd., she is leading the advancement of these technologies towards pilot-scale implementation and market adoption.
As part of this initiative, she is currently establishing a UTM spin-off company to facilitate technology transfer, industry collaboration, and commercial deployment of the developed CCUS technologies. The initial phase of TRL advancement focuses on pilot-scale concrete production and validation with several precast concrete manufacturers, providing market-driven evidence to support the transition from laboratory innovation to commercial application.