Sustainability Hub

Built Environment

With limited land and a densely populated urban environment, Singapore has embraced built environment innovation and sustainable practices across construction, infrastructure, and urban design. Guided by the ambitious targets of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, Singapore is leveraging a wide range of innovations to address key environmental challenges. From energy-efficient building systems to smart infrastructure and sustainable construction materials, these technologies aim to reduce carbon emissions, optimise resource use, and improve climate resilience. 

Enterprises can explore co-developing innovative products and services by tapping on IPI’s curated list of technologies for sustainability in the built environment, unlocking new opportunities in this evolving sector. This ensures that Singapore’s urban areas remain vibrant, sustainable, and adaptable to future environmental challenges, positioning the city-state as a leader in global green urbanisation efforts. By fostering sustainability in the built environment, Singapore is setting a global benchmark for how cities can thrive through the use of cutting-edge innovation and eco-friendly practices.

Sound Wave Filtration: Enhancing HVAC Efficiency and Air Quality
Facing the dual challenge of high energy consumption and the need for effective air purification in urban environments, this solution optimizes air filtration in HVAC systems. By employing advanced sound wave technology, the specialized emitter agglomerates fine airborne particles, making them easier to capture and significantly reducing the pressure drop across air handling units. This method not only lowers energy usage but also extends filter lifespan, cutting operational costs and maintenance needs. Ideal for building operators and industries that prioritize energy efficiency and superior indoor air quality, such as commercial real estate, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities, this system meets stringent G4 filtration standards and achieves performance levels equivalent to MERV 13 and MERV 14 filters.  The technology presents a cost-effective solution that significantly enhances HVAC performance and air quality, positioning itself as a sustainable investment for facilities dedicated to optimizing operational efficiency and environmental health. It improves motor energy consumption by up to 45%, while also enhancing air quality and reducing operational costs in HVAC systems. The technology owner is actively seeking collaboration partners for research and development, as well as opportunities for test-bedding within the HVAC systems field to enhance indoor air quality.
Low-Cost, High-Precision and Versatile Vibration Monitoring Sensor
The demand for cost-effective and efficient vibration monitoring solutions is increasing due to growing concerns about disaster preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and industrial safety. As investments in smart cities, transportation infrastructure, and industrial automation expand, the need for real-time, accessible, and affordable monitoring solutions is becoming more critical to ensuring safety and operational efficiency. To address these challenges, the technology owner has developed a highly versatile and low-cost vibration sensor that provides real-time, multi-axis vibration data monitoring with high sensitivity and accuracy - at a significantly lower cost than existing commercial solutions. This sensor is particularly suited for applications requiring high precision and stability, including inertial measurement units, platform stabilization systems, industrial machinery diagnostics, and transportation and environmental monitoring. Unlike traditional vibration monitoring systems, which often require expensive proprietary software and complex installation, this user-friendly solution enables both professionals and non-specialists to access real-time data via a standard web interface, eliminating the need for specialized software. The technology owner is seeking collaborations with government agencies, civil engineering firms, construction companies, transportation authorities, industrial monitoring services, and research organizations to deploy and scale this innovation.
Battery Generators as Sustainable Power
This technology provides a modular and scalable battery energy storage system, designed to optimize power usage in construction, industrial, and commercial applications. The system integrates Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery technology, for the benefits on high energy efficiency, extended lifespan, and enhanced safety. The battery solution includes solar panel integration and pairing, allowing clean energy charging during the day whilst reducing grid dependence and usage of diesel generators. It addresses the challenge of unreliable and inefficient on-site power sources, replacing fuel-based systems with a clean, quieter, and a more cost-effective alternative. The system also supports remote monitoring via IoT, enabling real-time energy management, predictive maintenance, and optimized performance. This solution is ideal for construction companies, energy providers, and industrial facilities looking to enhance sustainability, cost savings, and operational efficiency especially in places were noise and space is a concern.
Fast-Curing and Ready-to-Use Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP)
Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) is widely used for blast protection and structural reinforcement of concrete elements in buildings and infrastructure. However, conventional FRP solutions have limitations due to labour-intensive applications such as on-site preparation and resin mixing, inconsistent quality, long curing time, and low productivity. The technology is a glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) roll pre-saturated with a tacky resin system that can be easily applied to structural elements like “double-sided tape”. The resin-infused GFRP can fully cure in natural light within a few hours, strengthening the structure with only a marginal increase in wall thickness. A fire-retarding version of GFRP is also available. The GFRP solution is fast and efficient with minimal on-site tools and less dependent on workmanship skills. The technology is available for IP licensing and collaboration with industrial partners who are interested in adopting the fast-curing GFRP technology in their products and applications.
Long Lasting High Performance and Cost-effective Green Cement
The cement industry faces significant challenges, including durability issues, high CO₂ emissions (up to 8% of global emissions), and costly maintenance, particularly in harsh environments like marine and industrial settings. Infrastructure in such conditions suffers a 20-40% reduction in service life, contributing to over $100 billion in annual global repair costs. Addressing these issues, a nanotechnology platform has been developed to create next-generation green cements. These cements utilize nano-engineering and low-energy geo-engineering, converting waste and low-value materials into sustainable, high-performance solutions.  Products:  Type A: Geopolymeric Mortar for Repair and Protection  Crack repair, surface protection and insulation panels. High compressive strength, 2x lifespan of traditional cement, fire resistant and impermeable to water/chemicals. Type B: Eco-cement Marine ecosystems, precast blocks and reef regeneration. High compressive strength, marine compatible and captures CO2. Both cements are VOC free, recyclable, and suitable for extreme environments. Next-gen developments include lightweight, CO2-capturing, and sensor integrated materials, advancing sustainable construction.  The technology owner is seeking collaboration opportunities with cement manufacturers for co-pilot testing, R&D co-development, or technology licensing partnerships, aiming to revolutionize the cement industry through innovative, sustainable solutions.  
Clean and Safe Indoor Air Quality Solution Using Far-UVC Technology
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have developed new expectations for indoor air quality. It is no longer just about ventilation and purification, but also about providing clean and safe air for a healthier environment. Traditional UVC technology (254 nm) has been widely used in HVAC systems and air purifiers to disinfect airborne pathogens. To ensure its effectiveness, sufficient contact time is required, hence it is often used in unoccupied spaces due to safety concerns.  This solution utilises human-safe 222 nm far-UVC technology which has been shown to be able to effectively inactivate airborne pathogens while maintaining safety since it does not penetrate the outer layer of human skin or eyes. This allows for continuous disinfection of air in occupied spaces. By integrating 222 nm far-UVC technology into HVAC system, including air purification, air monitoring and IoT management platforms, the company offers a complete solution for clean and safe air. With integrated capabilities in both R&D and manufacturing, the company can provide tailor-made solutions for different industry applications. They are seeking collaborations with real estate developers, chain restaurant operators and pathogenic air sampling technology experts to further develop and commercialise this solution.
Fungal-like Adhesive Materials (FLAM)
Fungal-like Adhesive Materials (FLAM) represent an innovative family of materials inspired by the cell walls of fungus-like oomycetes. FLAMs are engineered by organizing the two most abundant and widely available natural molecules in their native configuration, resulting in a material that is lightweight, durable, and highly cost-effective. This groundbreaking composite is fully biodegradable, eliminating the need for organic solvents or synthetic materials, making it an eco-friendly alternative. FLAM can be locally produced as part of natural ecological cycles, contributing to sustainable manufacturing and ensuring long-term resource security for industries. In addition to its sustainability benefits, FLAM’s versatility allows it to be easily molded or processed with traditional manufacturing techniques, opening the door to a wide range of applications across various industries. This technology has been locally produced in Singapore as a by-product of waste management. The technology owner is looking for collaboration in test-bedding. FLAM can replace the use of plastic and wood in many applications. 
Cost-Effective Spray Coating for Passive Radiative Cooling in Buildings
Rising global temperatures have increased energy demands for cooling, driving up greenhouse gas emissions and worsening climate change. To address these issues, radiative cooling offers a passive, energy-efficient solution by emitting heat through infrared radiation in the 8–13 µm range, where minimal atmospheric absorption occurs, allowing heat to escape into space. This can significantly reduce energy consumption while providing a sustainable cooling. The technology owner has developed an innovative droplet-shaped coating specifically designed for building roofs and construction materials. This cutting-edge coating efficiently dissipates heat through radiation, lowering surface temperatures by 1-3°C and reducing electricity consumption by 5-15%. Crafted from a clear polymer and applied through a cost-effective spraying process, this cooling coating preserves the original colour of the substrate. It offers a powerful solution to combat rising temperatures and reduce the carbon footprint, making it ideal for homeowners, construction material manufacturers, and businesses seeking to lower energy consumption and operating costs without compromising the visual appeal of their properties. The technology owner is interested in R&D collaboration and test-bedding with building materials manufacturers, property developers, and construction companies. The technology is also available for out-licensing to paint developers and manufactures.
Novel Self-Cleaning Nano Coating for Sustainable Solar Panel and Glazing Applications
With the rise of urbanization and an increasing emphasis on sustainability, durable self-cleaning coatings are crucial for maximizing solar panel efficiency and reducing building maintenance costs. In urban areas, solar panels can lose over 50% of their energy output due to surface contamination, while pollutants on building surfaces drive up the maintenance costs and degrade aesthetic appeal. Current self-cleaning coatings often suffer from poor adhesion, limited functionality, and lack of durability, limiting their industrial adoption. To address these challenges, the technology owner has developed a novel self-cleaning nano coating for sustainable photovoltaic (PV) panels, as well as building and automotive glazing applications. Leveraging cutting-edge polymer graft modification and nano-encapsulation techniques, this transparent multifunctional coating offers durable hydrophilicity, high photocatalytic performance, and anti-reflective properties. Upon spray application, the coating quickly forms a high-density, super-wetting nanofilm at room temperature. It can effectively reduce organic and inorganic pollutants under visible light, boosting solar panel efficiency by 15-20%. In addition to glass, this coating is applicable to various building surfaces, including cement, metallic, and composite panels. The technology owner is seeking R&D collaborations and test-bedding partnerships with industrial partners, such as PV manufacturers, building owners / developers, construction companies, and transportation sector to integrate this coating into their products and applications.
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