Polymeric membranes with high oil fluxes were developed and catalytically activated by a new route of direct calcination of polymeric membranes charged by Pd or Pt catalyst precursors. High concentrations of citric acid mixed with the precursors afforded a decrease of the calcination temperature to 175°C. Membrane reactor tests in the flow through contactor mode displayed high reactivities for sunflower oil hydrogenation. Pt showed a similar activity to Pd catalysts as measured by iodine value and generated about 13% less trans‐isomers but 5% more stearic acid at an iodine value of 90. By means of alumina supported catalysts tests of methyl oleate (cis‐C18:1) and methyl elaidate (trans‐C18:1) hydrogenation exhibited a different pathway of reaction by either isomerization followed by reduction (Pd) or primarily direct reduction to methyl stearate (Pt).