Dr. Muhammad Mujtaba, a native of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has clinched Finland’s Young Researcher Award 2025 along with a €10,000 prize for his pioneering work on eco-friendly bio-based materials.
His efforts to switch out dangerous industrial chemicals with sustainable ones made from natural resources are acknowledged by the award.
At the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, where he serves as a Senior Scientist, Dr. Mujtaba focuses on converting cellulose from plant fibers and chitin from crustacean shells into green polymers.
These bio-based materials can be used in everyday products, from packaging films and coatings to personal-care items, cutting reliance on petroleum-based plastics and toxic additives.
His laboratory has developed processes that extract, purify, and chemically modify these biomolecules using low-energy techniques and non-hazardous reagents. This approach not only reduces the carbon footprint of material production but also improves biodegradability, ensuring that end-of-life disposal poses minimal environmental risk.
The implications for Pakistan are significant. By adapting Dr. Mujtaba’s innovations, local industries could slash plastic waste, boost rural economies through agricultural by-product valorization, and nurture a homegrown green-tech sector.
Policymakers and manufacturers are already in talks to pilot bio-based packaging solutions and replace conventional coatings in textiles and paper.
Dr. Mujtaba’s award highlights the global impact of research rooted in sustainable development. His success story underlines how scientists from emerging economies can lead the charge on environmental innovation, inspiring a new generation to pursue solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
