An academic from Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES), namely Assoc Prof Ir Dr Lee Tin Sin, was awarded the “Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ) Award for Outstanding Asian Researchers and Engineers 2018” at the Asia Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Congress 2019 (APCChE 2019), Sapporo Convention Centre, Japan. The award ceremony was held from 23 to 27 September 2019.

Each year, the award is given to an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of chemical engineering in Asia. The award gives recognition to outstanding researchers and engineers in academia and industry, who are under the age of 45, and who possess exceptional vision, achievement and contribute to significant chemical engineering research and technological developments in the field of chemical engineering. Dr Lee was nominated by The Institutions of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) for the award early of the year.

“I am very honoured to receive the award and I am glad that the research and contributions in biopolymer and polymer composites areas are gaining international recognition. This is also evidence that Malaysians are actively contributing to the advancement of polymer researches,” said Dr Lee.

At the conference, Dr Lee also delivered a keynote lecture on “Are biopolymers really more environmentally friendly?”. In the lecture, he addressed the pros and cons of biopolymers in domestic applications. He also highlighted that biopolymers may cause unintended impacts on the environment, such as eutrophication and land uses.

A book launch for Dr Lee’s book titled “Polylactic Acid (PLA), A Practical Guide for the Processing, Manufacturing, and Applications of PLA, Second Edition” was also held at the conference. The handbook is co-authored with Assoc Prof Dr Bee Soo Tueen. The book provides a practical guide for the engineers and scientists involved in working with PLA and the development of many new products that are emerging for this important biopolymer. This book can be accessed at https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128144725/polylactic-acid#book-description.

Dr Lee, who is actively involved in biopolymer, polymer nanocomposites, antimicrobial packaging and green polymer researches, was also awarded the Young Engineers Award 2012 from IEM and was granted three Malaysian Patents. He currently serves as the Advisor of Chemical Engineering Technical Division of IEM and a Council Member of IEM. He was also invited to a television talk show for the “8TV Global Watch” to share his views about plastic recycling.