Fostering a sustainable world through innovative products

THE phrase "sustainability" tends to be thrown around frequently in discussions. On one hand, sustainability can mean developing solutions that create a comfortable living experience in harmony with the environment. On the other hand, it can also mean cutting down on human consumption to ensure that future generations will be able to inherit the same or better quality of life than the one that we currently have. While we may argue on the specific definition of "sustainability", what we are in concurrence is that the world is slowly drifting from anything remotely close to "sustainability". An explosion in rapid urbanisation and population growth coupled with climate change has created an environment where there are noticeable increases in sea levels, wildfires, droughts and extreme weather. This is leading to an unsustainable future.

However, does this mean that we have to sacrifice the things we have today for the future tomorrow? I believe there is a possibility of compromise - to be able to foster sustainability using innovative products. There is an increasingly important business recognition that innovation is swiftly gaining traction across all industries. As organisations constantly discover and derive new ways to do the same thing better, this emphasis on innovation and reinvention dovetails neatly with the core premise of sustainability.

So, what are innovative products? I believe that innovative products are products that bring out the potential of raw materials to their limits. They are not meant to introduce a new variant of existing products in the market, but are meant to improve and revolutionise the way we accept the current status in the world. This can mean improving on existing products, and also creating products specifically aimed at eliminating problems that are currently being faced in the world.

Personally, I believe there are three ways a sustainable world can be achieved by utilising innovative products.

Firstly, innovative solutions can be used for process simulation to ensure sustainability. This reduces unnecessary waste created through trial and error. Process simulation and analysing Big Data also allow businesses to understand how variable changes can affect the final product. This not only provides companies with a time-effective way of analysing changes to processes and products but also a cost-effective manner of collaborating with their customers. Through this collation of information, there is also an indirect creation of an information bank that businesses can use to evaluate and streamline work processes. This enhances organisational knowledge in the business on what works and what does not. This helps to save resources and ensure sustainability in the business sphere.

Secondly, there has to be a sustainable use of resources when creating products. This means that a minimal amount of resources should be consumed to create new products, or that resources are used to enhance the production of products. There are three Rs that should be adhered to - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

For example, the AGC Group's approach is to "reduce" the amount of waste that is destroyed, "reuse" resources to the fullest extent possible and to "recycle" all other material that are no longer required. AGC Group also promotes sustainable resource usage to decrease the reliance on non-renewable natural resources. It provides refractory materials used in biomass power generation boilers as well as related engineering services to achieve this vision. It also contributes to the improvement of agricultural productivity through the provision of superior agrochemical substances and intermediates.

MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE

This ensures that resources are used sustainably and optimally, as well as help solve the food supply-related problems through continued technological advancement. Hence, I believe that sustainability can go hand-in-hand with innovative products.

Thirdly, the adoption of innovative products can mitigate the effect of climate change and contribute to the building of comfortable and resilient smart cities. The suitable adoption of innovative products could enhance the functionality of various infrastructure as well as reduce operational and maintenance-related problems and costs. For example, the AGC Group provides eco-friendly glass that enhances both heating and cooling in buildings. This ensures that less energy is expended when utilising building facilities, which in turn helps to lower carbon emissions. Likewise, the usage of refrigerants with extremely low global warming potential may also serve as the way forward to stemming the flow of climate change. By recognising that urbanisation increases the use of air conditioners and refrigeration units (which in turn quickens the pace of climate change), tackling the issue at its source using innovative products will go a long way in creating a sustainable future.

The AGC Group also supports the creation of cities that can withstand disasters, the development of the IOT society and expand the applications of digital signage under Smart City concepts.

With climate change an inevitable reality, the world must stand firm to mitigate the effects as best as it can. Rapid urbanisation accounts for a large portion of the world's total emissions - hence the use of innovative products presents an opportunity to slow or stem the tide of climate change. To achieve this vision, the AGC Group is poised to offer its expertise and assistance, banking on its century-long experience in creating diverse innovative, eco-friendly materials and solutions with "a broad customer base, materials technology, advanced products and operational excellence". I believe that a sustainable world can be forged with the use of innovative products. By walking on the path of sustainability, this can ensure a brighter, cleaner and more beautiful future for our planet.