Development of an innovative membrane in Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) for seafood processing wastewater treatment (MEMSEAFOOD)

In the framework of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Italian Republic, a new three-year bilateral project collaboration between the Vietnamese-German University (VGU) and Italian Institute of Membrane Science (CNR-ITM) has been established. The project MEMSEAFOOD is funded by the Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).

The main aim of this project is to apply membrane processes, thanks to the their widely recognized advantages in terms of both reduced environmental impact and energy consumption, for performing a more sustainable water treatment methodology for seafood processing industry in Vietnam, being one of the top countries with the highest seafood export volume in the world. The objective of the research is to produce a new class of membranes with robust anti-fouling properties which is able to be used in AnMBR processes in Vietnam for the treatment of wastewaters coming from the seafood industry.

The project, scientifically coordinated by Dr. Tran Le Luu (Master Program in Water Technology, Reuse and Management-VGU) and Prof. Alberto Figoli (Director of CNR-ITM), officially started on July 2021 and the Kick-off Meeting was held online on April 26th 2021. The meeting opened with the greetings of Prof. Tomas Benz and Dr. Ha Thuc Vien (VGU Presidential Board), Prof. Alberto Figoli, Dr. Lidia Armelao (Director of the CNR Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies of Materials (DSCTM)). Prof. Marco Abbiati (Science Attaché at the Embassy of Italy in Hanoi) and Mr. Dinh Quy Cuong (Official Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) who also joined the meeting, gave an introductive presentation on the MOST-MAECI initiatives. The meeting proceeded with the scientific presentations of both Vietnamese and Italian teams and it was followed by a final round table discussion for the specific task of each partner.

This is a chance for Master students in Water Technology, Reuse and Management (VGU) to participate in the international research project under the scientific supervision of both Vietnamese and Italian Professors.

For further information about the project, please contact the Project Coordinator - Dr. Lựu at luu.tl@vgu.edu.vn.