The Secretariat of the Green Tech Fund (GTF) announced today (December 24) that a total of six projects has been approved in the fifth round of applications, involving a grant of around $24 million. Together with the first four rounds of applications, the GTF has so far approved 39 projects, involving a total grant of around $171 million.
 
      129 applications were received in the fifth round of applications from December 2024 to March 2025. The six research and development (R&D) projects approved in this round of applications cover promoting hydrogen energy technology, turning waste into resources and developing coating technology for non-plastic products. They are:
 

• Hydrogen energy technology: Development of low-cost proton exchange membrane water electrolysers for producing green hydrogen; development of highly efficient and durable anion exchange membrane water electrolysers to reduce the production cost of green hydrogen; utilisation of active-flow membraneless electrolyser for direct seawater electrolysis for producing green hydrogen;

 

• Turning waste into resources: Development of an innovative sludge treatment system and utilising the waste generated in the treatment process, for the purpose of enhancing sludge treatment efficiency in sewage treatment works; utilisation of acoustic metamaterials made from recycled plastics in soundproofing and noise mitigation systems for data centres; and

 

• Non-plastic products: Development of innovative waterborne coating to enhance the barrier properties of the existing plant-based non-plastic tableware to water, heat and oil.

 
      The six approved R&D projects are listed in the Annex. Relevant details are published on the GTF webpage (www.gtf.gov.hk/en/project_information/approved_projects.html). These projects will help promote R&D as well as the application of green technologies in different areas, thereby expediting low-carbon transformation and helping Hong Kong strive towards carbon neutrality.
           
      The GTF Secretariat announced on December 1 that the GTF would be open for the sixth round of applications from December 1, 2025, to February 13, 2026. R&D projects that fall into four areas, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport, and waste reduction, will be accorded priority. The GTF welcomes applications from local public research institutions and R&D centres, as well as local private companies to develop low-carbon and green technologies that cater for the needs of Hong Kong's environment and market. The GTF Secretariat will hold a webinar on January 15, 2026, to introduce the application procedures and priority themes of the GTF. Details about applying for the GTF are available on the GTF website (www.gtf.gov.hk).

Ends/Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:00

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