A novel polymer-based alkaline composite catalytic membrane (PACCM) for the transesterification of soybean oil with methanol in a flow-through mode, was prepared with sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium) propyl] chitosan chloride supported into polypropylene non-woven fabric by nonsolvent induced phase separation. The transesterification with a conversion of above 97.0% was achieved under the PACCMs in a membrane reactor under a molar ratio of methanol/soybean oil of 9: 1 and residence time of 3913 s at 60 degrees C. External mass-transfer resistance in the PACCM could be neglected when the flow rate was beyond 1.0 ml min(-1). The transesterification in the membrane reactor was kinetically controlled. The PACCMs showed a good catalytic activity and stability. And the PACCMs could tolerate less than 3.0 wt.% water or less than 1.5 wt.% FFA in the feedstock at which the conversion reached above 90%. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.