Singapore sets aside S$118 million for research into bio-based chemicals
Funding is announced as new research centre opens with focus on engineering biology
The Singapore government has allocated S$118 million in public funding for research into producing chemicals from biological materials, marking the largest commitment of its kind to date. This significant investment is part of the S$37 billion Research, Innovation, Enterprise (RIE) 2030 plan and aims to tackle industry challenges within Singapore’s energy and chemicals sector, which contributes one-fifth of the country's manufacturing output.
Jermaine Loy, managing director of the Economic Development Board (EDB), stated that the initiative will bolster Singapore's capabilities in creating innovative, high-value specialty chemicals and advanced materials, while promoting the transition of existing industries towards more sustainable production methods. The new Bioeconomy Funding Initiative will focus on converting by-products or "sidestreams" into valuable materials, developing new microbe and enzyme-based production methods, and enhancing processing and production efficiency.
Researchers will also explore the optimal combination of biological and chemical solutions to produce commercially viable goods, including high-grade synthetic rubbers. The initiative will be overseen by a specialized office at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, with industry engagement led by the EDB. The projects will be managed by the National Centre for Engineering Biology (NCEB), recently established with S$50 million in funding from the earlier five-year RIE 2025 plan.
The NCEB, located at the National University of Singapore, fosters collaboration among talent from various organizations, focusing on manufacturing specialty chemicals, product design, and testing utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence. With over 150 researchers, students, and professional staff, the center is currently recruiting an additional 50 professionals, including principal investigators, postdoctoral researchers, and technical, engineering, and management staff.
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