Local firms eager to take part in the growing field of environmental technology now have a dedicated centre in Singapore designed to help them do just that.
Spring Singapore yesterday launched a $7.6 million Environmental and Water Technology Centre of Innovation, a collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic located at the school's Clementi campus.
Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran said at the launch that the environmental industry is a 'key strategic growth area' for Singapore.
The industry generates $7 billion and employs about 35,000 people in Singapore, while the Asian market for environmental goods and services is expected to reach US$50 billion (S$68.02 billion) in just two years, Mr Iswaran disclosed.
The applied research facility, which has been operating for some time, helps Singapore's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop commercially viable products and solutions.
Spring also launched, apart from the research facility, a financial assistance programme - the Environmental Technology Capability Development Programme - to kick-start SMEs that need seed funding.
Mr Iswaran said the two initiatives would help these firms upgrade their capabilities and sharpen their competitive edge.
Spring has invested $12 million in the two initiatives - and it is starting to see the fruits of its efforts.
Among the innovative products that have come out of the centre is a first-of-its-kind, eco-friendly outdoor cooling system developed by local firms Etha Engineering, Prima Research, and Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS).
This unique climate control system employs the 'Eco-Cooler' to cool outdoor areas using 80 per cent less energy compared to normal cooling systems. Tests are also being carried out to see if it can be powered by solar panels.
The companies behind the technology are in the final testing phase of a $500,000 prototype at Sentosa Island, which can be built on a bigger scale to cover a 49ha area.
RWS plans to use this system at attractions such as its Universal Studios theme park. It expects to save $1.3 million in power bills each year, said company executive vice-president of projects Michael Chin.
The technology centre started operations in November 2006. It has already undertaken over 35 projects, 25 of which are with SMEs.
Spring said it wanted to wait until the centre had developed some proven projects before it went ahead to officially launch it.
The centre has signed a series of memorandums of understanding with companies such as Sembcorp Industries, water firm Hach Company and Siemens.
Spring's initiatives follow a government commitment in the 2008 Budget to step up its focus on research and development and innovation on all fronts to create a 'top-quality economy'.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on 2 July 2008.
