As global plastic pollution mounts, Dr. Kong Xin Ying, a LKY Research Fellow at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has developed a groundbreaking approach that transforms plastics into valuable chemicals—under ambient conditions.
The process converts plastic waste into industrial feedstocks like formic acid, acetic acid, and benzoic acid within just 24 hours—a radical leap from the thousands of years normally required for natural decomposition.
This breakthrough not only tackles urgent environmental challenges, but also creates economic value from waste, offering a scalable solution aligned with global circular economy goals.
Also honored as a 2024 MIT Technology Review Innovator Under 35 (Asia Pacific), Dr. Kong represents Malaysia's growing leadership in sustainable technology. Beyond her scientific contributions, she actively mentors women in STEM, demonstrating how inclusive innovation can drive meaningful progress.
