A*Star sets up new research institute focused on sustainability

THE Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) has set up a new research institute, called the Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment, to support Singapore's sustainability goals, it said on Tuesday (Mar 8).

The institute has a focus on research and development (R&D) in areas including low-carbon technologies, carbon life cycle assessment, sustainable materials and green manufacturing processes, and it will partner with academia, public agencies and the industry to help meet sustainability goals.

It will also focus on helping industries - including the local energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical sectors - transition to renewable carbon and green chemistry, accelerated by digitalisation and automation in the areas of decarbonisation, green materials and green processes.

"A*Star has built many deep capabilities in technologies that are important for a sustainable future, and we are now bringing these together purposefully to support Singapore's sustainability goals," said Yeoh Lean Weng, A*Star's chief sustainability officer.

The new institute is a reorganisation of A*Star's former Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences, which was focused in organic and biomolecular chemistry, catalysis, formulation technologies and process R&D. These key strengths will now be combined with core capabilities in sustainable polymer materials as well as climate change modelling and simulation capabilities from other A*Star institutes.

Its operations will be overseen by Yeoh.

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