Environment

Commercially available fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems are primarily based on petroleum-derived resins and synthetic fibers such as glass and carbon, which are not sustainable. These conventional resin formulations contain highly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to both human health and the environment, while their production also results in a significant carbon footprint. As industries seek more eco-friendly solutions, there is a growing market demand for sustainable alternatives, such as green resins and bio-carbon composites. To improve safety and reduce the carbon footprint, the technology owner has developed a series of green resins that contain up to 85% bio-carbon and are low in VOCs. Produced from renewable feedstock, these green resins are less hazardous and require minimal GHS labelling (i.e., 1 GHS or no GHS). Their mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties are comparable to those of petroleum-based resins. Additionally, their use of renewable feedstock aligns with increasing regulations and consumer demand for sustainable solutions, crucial for reducing industrial carbon footprints and promoting safer manufacturing practices. These eco-friendly alternatives offer reduced VOC emissions, a lower environmental impact, and align with the increasing focus on sustainability. The technology owner is eager to collaborate with industrial partners on co-development and proof-of-concept trials to evaluate the performance of green resins and composites and explore their potential applications. The ideal partners could be fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) manufacturers, specialty chemical companies, automotive and appliances companies.

The National Environment Authority (NEA) has highlighted urinal overflow as a common issue in malls and coffee shops, yet effective solutions remain limited. An Intelligent Sanitization Monitoring System is designed to address this challenge while enhancing the performance and reliability of sanitary fixtures. Operates non-intrusively, the system continuously monitors water flow through sanitary fixtures, detecting early signs of blockage. Upon identifying a potential obstruction, it automatically stops water flow to prevent overflows and minimize damage. Additionally, the system tracks and wirelessly transmits usage data to a central gateway, providing more accurate insights than traditional human traffic data. This allows for reduced cleaning frequency and improved water conservation. To further enhance the system, a water meter—whether conventional or non-intrusive—may be installed to monitor potential leakage or abnormal water usage. If there is constant water flow despite the sanitary ware not being in use, it may indicate a leak in the system. Such water monitoring data could be further developed for application in various areas, including but not limited to BTUs, chillers, or even underground pipes. By proactively managing water flow, the system not only protects infrastructure but also conserves water through optimal use. It integrates seamlessly into existing setups, requiring minimal maintenance and offering a cost-effective solution for both residential and commercial environments. This technology reduces maintenance efforts, optimizes manpower, and contributes to a safer, more sustainable environment, providing peace of mind to users and property owners alike.

Traditional aluminium production is energy-intensive and increases greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, recycling aluminium offers a more sustainable alternative, reducing energy consumption and minimising environmental impact. Recycling aluminium can cut carbon emissions by up to 95%, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. This technology aims to promote a circular, sustainable approach by incorporating recycled aluminium into outdoor furniture applications. This technology utilises recycled aluminium pipes of a uniform diameter, reducing material usage and waste. The use of a single angled jig ensures precise and efficient shaping, streamlining the production process without compromising quality. This eco-friendly design is lightweight, weather-resistant, and stackable, making it ideal for both public and private outdoor spaces. With various colours and finishes, it offers long-lasting durability and low maintenance, supporting sustainable manufacturing practices that aligns with modern design standards and promotes a longer product lifecycle. The technology owner is interested to out-license this fabrication technology to furniture companies and further co-develop this sustainable furnishing approach using alternative materials to design eco-friendly furniture.

Clay is a naturally occurring material composed mainly of fine-grained minerals, demonstrating plasticity through a range of water content. Given the low recycling rate of food waste in Singapore (18%), incorporating food waste in existing clay products presents an opportunity to conserve natural resources and develop more sustainable clay materials. This technology involves the development of food waste-incorporated clay, which permits safe biodegradation over time without the use of kiln firing. A selection of food waste is carefully treated and blended into the clay to create sustainable clay with high waste content, high nutrients, great workability, and appropriate shelf-life. Each type of food waste contributes different physical and chemical properties to the clay, affecting its biodegradability and workability. Apart from food waste, a naturally occurring binder is also added to ensure overall biodegradability. By adjusting the formulation of the food waste-incorporated clay, its appearance and other functional properties (such as strength and workability) can be made comparable to conventional clay, with the added benefit of nutrient (calcium, potassium, nitrogen, carbon) leaching capabilities. This creates sustainable, biodegradable clay for various built environment applications. The technology owner is interested in working with companies seeking sustainable clay materials on joint R&D projects, out-licensing and test bedding opportunities .

Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for health, yet millions of people worldwide still lack this necessity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 2 billion people globally use drinking water sources contaminated with feces, leading to severe health consequences. Unsafe water, along with inadequate sanitation and hygiene, is estimated to cause 485,000 diarrheal deaths each year. Water purification technologies face significant challenges, especially in decentralized systems lacking the efficiencies of large-scale operations. They often have a substantial carbon footprint due to energy-intensive processes and reliance on chemicals. Existing portable devices primarily use filtration and have a limited lifetime on-site, with little opportunity for cleaning to restore its performance.  Developed by a research team, this technology effectively addresses the above challenges by employing electrochemical methods that generates strong oxidizing agents to kill micro-organisms present in raw water and potentially degrade organic pollutants that conventional portable reactors cannot remove via filtration. Due to its working mechanism, the device is self-cleaning and does not need regeneration. By harnessing solar energy and activated carbon, this chemical-free purification approach is not only environmentally friendly but also perfectly suited for deployment in remote areas, developing countries, and disaster-stricken zones where traditional water treatment infrastructure is lacking. The technology owner is looking for collaborations with local SMEs to co-develop scaled systems and deploy it through disaster relief organizations, government agencies and non-profit organizations in selected developing countries. 

Cooking oil waste has become a significant environmental problem in recent years. Improper disposal of used cooking oil and fried food scraps can lead to pollution of water sources and the release of harmful greenhouse gases. When poured down into drains, it travels through sewage systems to rivers and oceans, disrupting ecosystems, clogging water treatment plant filters, and complicating water purification processes. Additionally, there are higher costs associated with waste disposal in volume-based plastic garbage bags which are also not environmentally friendly. This technology addresses the above pain points by offering a sustainable solution that recycles discarded fried food scraps into high valued biodiesel raw material, preventing water pollution and sewage pipe blockage when discarded without appropriate measures. This innovation addresses a critical market need by providing a greener alternative to conventional disposal methods, reducing waste disposal costs and the production of high valued biodiesel as an end point.  The technology owner is seeking collaborations with companies in the fields of waste management and biodiesel production for test-bedding and research & development projects aimed at recycling fried food scraps into biodiesel.

Maintaining clean air on ships is crucial for the health and well-being of passengers and crew, as well as for the proper functioning of sensitive equipment. Due to the structural specificity of ships and higher reliance on mechanical air conditioning than natural ventilation, addressing indoor air quality issues is particularly important. Advanced air purification solutions would be able to effectively address a range of airborne contaminants, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and biological pollutants, ensuring a safer and more pleasant environment on board. A Korean startup has developed an air sterilisation and purification system tailored specifically to the challenges of maritime environments that excels in delivering clean, safe, and compliant air quality solutions. They enhance health and safety, optimise operational efficiency, and contribute to a better overall experience for passengers and crew, while also meeting regulatory requirements and supporting environmental sustainability. The company is seeking collaborators from the maritime and built environment sectors, as well as HVAC and IoT companies, to expand their applications and explore integration of their technologies into existing HVAC systems.

Plastic recycling plays a crucial role in achieving a sustainable future. Proper sorting of waste plastics is essential, especially in mixed waste streams where various materials are combined. Some types of plastic are not recyclable, and even recyclable ones can be difficult to separate efficiently. Sorting mixed waste streams into different recyclable categories can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, especially for materials with similar appearances, such as different types of plastic. To address these challenges, this technology aims to automate and accurately sort plastic waste, reducing the reliance on manual processing and improving overall plastic recycling efficiency. The technology on offer is a patented artificial intelligence (AI) based material sorting robot that sorts plastic waste accurately. Comprising of a camera, recognition unit and analysis unit, each unit of this system can continuously identify and sort waste plastics and generate information in real time. Blower vacuum adsorption devices are placed within each unit to pick waste in a speedy and accurate manner. This technology effectively reduces the issue of labour shortage in the waste sector, lowers operating costs and contamination rates that hinders recycling efforts. Currently, the technology has been deployed successfully in South Korea to sort polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The technology owner is interested to work with Singapore waste collection companies on joint development projects to testbed this technology and improve plastic recycling rates.

Anti-fouling coatings have garnered significant attention due to the increasing demand for durable, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing surfaces in both residential and commercial spaces. These coatings help maintain cleanliness and appearance, reduce cleaning frequency and effort, and offer substantial cost savings in maintenance. However, balancing the performance and cost of anti-fouling coatings, particularly in achieving both oil repellence and dust resistance, remains a challenge. There is also a growing emphasis on developing stain-repellent coatings that provide long-lasting protection against abrasion. The technology offers a special fluororesin-based functional coating with excellent water and oil repellence and dust resistance. This thin, transparent and durable coating can be applied to metals, plastics, ceramics and various other surfaces. It effectively reduces the accumulation of oil and stain build-up on the surface, prolonging the life span of home appliances and reducing maintenance frequency. With these superior properties, such coatings have great potential for applications across electronics, household appliances, and automotive applications, enhancing product performance and durability while improving user convenience and hygiene.  The technology owner is seeking joint R&D collaboration and partnership with companies interested in integrating this coating into their products and applications.