Immobilization of hydrolytic/fermentative bacteria to achieve ultra-low fouling in anaerobic membrane bioreactor

•A novel fouling control approach based on HFB immobilization was proposed for AnMBR.•HFB immobilization helped to achieve a non-fouling state in an AnMBR over 180 days.•HFB immobilization reduced amounts and abundances of HFB in sludge supernatant.•HFB immobilization improved methanogen abundances in bulk sludge.