.jpg?sfvrsn=2e3cdc42_0)
| Challenge Owner(s) |
Maha Chemicals, Diageo, FKS Food and Agri, Ghim Li, (TTC AgriS) Thành Thành Công - Biên Hòa Joint Stock Company, Cargill, PT. Sukses Mantap Sejahtera, (Michelin Group) Societe Des Matieres Premieres Tropicales, CNH Indusrial, JAPFA
|
|---|---|
| Organiser(s) | Enterprise Singapore |
| Industry Type(s) |
Agri-tech, Circular Economy & Sustainability, Infrastructure, Retail, Urban Solutions
|
| Opportunities and Support | Prize money, paid trial and pilot opportunities await! |
| Application Start Date | 31 October 2023 |
| Application End Date | 31 January 2024 |
| Website | Click here to learn more |
About Challenge
Welcome to the Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge 2023!
In the face of unparalleled global challenges, our planet stands at a critical juncture. We need urgent action to address environmental threats such as climate change, excessive disposable waste, and the depletion of natural resources.
The fifth edition of the Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge, organised by Enterprise Singapore, unites industry partners and seeks innovative minds from all over the world to devise sustainable solutions spanning various sectors. These solutions will have a local and regional focus before being scaled globally.
Our esteemed industry partners present distinct challenge statements under these key themes: Climate Change, Green Buildings, Sustainable Agriculture & Trade, and Sustainable Materials. In addition, this challenge also features an Open Category, welcoming additional sustainability-focused solutions.
Successful innovators will gain a unique opportunity to engage in co-innovation with corporate partners, benefiting from their invaluable expertise, mentorship, and substantial resources. Prizes include over S$3,000,000 in support, including S$75,000 from Hexagon Group, as well as funding and real-world testing facilitated by industry pioneers.
Take this opportunity to effect tangible change for both your business and the persisting sustainability goals of our planet. Take part in the Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge 2023 today!
OPPORTUNITY AND INCENTIVES
Over S$3 million in support available!
Our corporate sponsor, Hexagon Group will award S$75,000 in prize money to one selected innovator in the Open Category.
Prizes for winning innovators include:
- Paid pilot and trial opportunities;
- Potential grant support;
- Opportunities for co-innovation with industry partners, drawing on their extensive expertise and resources;
- Networking and mentoring opportunities.
CHALLENGE THEMES
The Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge 2023 contains two categories: demand-led challenge statements, and the Open Category.
Demand-led challenge statements are organised in the following themes:
- Climate Change
- Green Buildings
- Sustainable Agriculture and Trade
- Sustainable Materials
OPEN CATEGORY
Up to S$75,000 Prize Money
This year’s Open Category welcomes sustainability-focused solutions that will be channelled to The Liveability Challenge 2023.
The Liveability Challenge (TLC) is a global platform that hunts for and accelerates the launch of innovative solutions to urban challenges of the 21st century in cities in the tropics. Established in 2018, TLC has grown to become Asia's largest sustainability solutions platform with a global reach and a reputation for helping companies whose innovative technologies are disrupting industries, to create a significant positive impact on society and the planet.
TLC is looking to build on its efforts in enabling solutions that remove carbon emissions at scale, including:
- Revolutionary technology-based carbon capture, utilisation and storage solutions that effectively capture, and convert carbon emissions into useful products, for example, building materials, reclamation sand or synthetic fuels;
- Low-carbon solutions for energy, urban infrastructure, transport and logistics that generate cost-effective energy from renewable sources, for example, hydrogen, wind and tidal energy;
- Solutions that significantly reduce the carbon emissions produced by industries and buildings, for example, cooling systems;
- Solutions that drastically reduce the negative impact of climate change, for example, mitigating extreme heat, and urban heat island effect.
Your solution should be:
- Carbon negative in the overall lifecycle and have zero or minimal externalities;
- Technology-based (physical or chemical);
- Commercially viable and scalable; and
- Feasible to conduct a pilot in Singapore.
Note: To have your solution considered for the Open Category, please remember to check the relevant checkbox on our application form, and answer the additional questions.
For SOIC 2023, Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and Temasek Foundation (TF) are partnering on an SOIC Open Category, to provide additional support for innovators in the The Liveability Challenge (TLC) Climate Change domain.
TLC is a global crowdsourcing platform that hunts for and accelerates the commercialisation of innovative solutions that address urban challenges in the tropics. Established in 2018, TLC has grown to become one of Asia's largest sustainability solutions platform with a global reach – helping companies with cutting-edge technologies create a significant positive impact on the planet and people
In 2024, TLC will continue to offer a total prize pool of S$2 million so that more disruptive innovations can realise their full potential.
SOIC 2023 Open Category for Climate Change domains
We are inviting innovative solutions relating to these specific Climate Change domains to submit their pitch decks and pilot plans under the SOIC 2023 Open Category x TLC:
- Carbon capture, utilisation and storage solutions; and
- Emerging renewable energy (e.g. green hydrogen, wind/tidal energy).
Opportunities for applicants of SOIC 2023 Open Category
Innovators applying to the SOIC 2023 Open Category for the domains stated above will be automatically entered into TLC, so you do not have to apply for SOIC 2023 and TLC separately. The applications will then be evaluated under both SOIC 2023 and TLC. You will also stand a chance to win prizes and access opportunities from both challenges.
Here are the full benefits for applicants to the SOIC 2023 Open Category:
- Automatic entry to TLC (Climate Change track), with an opportunity to compete for the TLC prizes (S$1 million for Climate Change track and other potential investments);
- An opportunity to compete for a S$75,000 cash prize, sponsored by Hexagon Group under SOIC 2023;
- Exposure to the Amplifier programme, organised by Temasek Trust ecosystem entities; Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) and the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP), with an opportunity to be invited to apply to participate as mentees to gain access to catalytic capital, mentorship, commercial opportunities, and professional services support; and
- Exposure to growth catalysts, such as VCs, through SOIC 2023 partners and events.
Please note that being invited to apply to the Amplifier programme does not provide applicants priority during evaluation.
More on SOIC 2023 Open Category domains
SOIC 2023 Open Category x TLC is looking for solutions that can remove carbon emissions at scale, including:
- Revolutionary technology-based carbon capture, utilisation and storage solutions that effectively capture and convert carbon emissions into useful products, for example, building materials, reclamation sand, or synthetic fuels
- Low-carbon solutions for energy, urban infrastructure, transport and logistics that generate cost-effective energy from renewable sources, for example, hydrogen, wind, and tidal energy
- Solutions that significantly reduce the carbon emissions produced by industries and buildings, for example, cooling systems
- Solutions that drastically reduce the negative impact of climate change, for example, mitigating extreme heat and urban heat island effect
Your solution should be:
- Carbon negative in the overall lifecycle and have zero or minimal externalities;
- Technology-based (physical or chemical);
- Commercially viable and scalable; and
- Feasible to conduct a pilot in Singapore or within Southeast Asia
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- The Liveability Challenge presented by Temasek Foundation
- Temasek Trust’s Amplifier Programme, by PAA and CIIP
- Hexagon Group
| Challenge Owner(s) | The Liveability Challenge |
|---|
Open Category - The Liveability Challenge
What We Are Looking For
- Revolutionary technology-based carbon capture, utilisation and storage solutions that effectively capture and convert carbon emissions into useful products, for example, building materials, reclamation sand, or synthetic fuels
- Low-carbon solutions for energy, urban infrastructure, transport and logistics that generate cost-effective energy from renewable sources, for example, hydrogen, wind, and tidal energy
- Solutions that significantly reduce the carbon emissions produced by industries and buildings, for example, cooling systems
- Solutions that drastically reduce the negative impact of climate change, for example, mitigating extreme heat and urban heat island effect
| Challenge Owner(s) | Lidl & Kaufland Asia |
|---|
Sustainable Packaging for Domestic Appliance Products
Lidl & Kaufland Asia is an importer to Lidl International (headquarters) in Neckarsulm, Germany. They help to source mainly textile and hardgoods, such as tools, consumer electronics, household electronics, office furniture, toys, and also some food products for more than 12,000 retail outlets in 32 countries in Europe and the US. Lidl Asia’s target is to achieve 100% packaging recyclability by 2025.
What We Are Looking For
- First, the proposed alternative must be demonstrably more sustainable than EPS as a packaging material. This refers to the ease of recycling and minimisation of environmental impact, using the German Packaging Act as a guide (on recyclability). It should also comply with relevant environmental regulations and standards governing packaging materials.
- Jointly important is safety standards: the sustainable packaging must provide the same or improved protection during transportation of the goods (demonstrated via drop test, chemical test, vibration test, climate test and stacking test).
- The new packaging should be equal or less than current volume taken by EPS packaging. Any (small) increment would be considered against a probable increment in logistics cost.
- The price should be comparable to EPS and competitive with other market offerings.
- Lidl & Kaufland Asia will also consider the scalability of the solution: how the proposed packaging might be made available for their current contract manufacturers in China, and whether new capital expenditure is required for their production lines.
Learn More
| Challenge Owner(s) | CNH Indusrial |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Agri-tech |
Tracking and Tagging Crop Residues in Bales
CNH Industrial is looking for solution providers to improve the supply chain for farmers who deliver crop residues to offtakers, such as biomass energy plants, livestock feed producers, livestock feed producers, mushroom cultivators, etc. The goal is to reduce the amount of residues burned in the field, because the farmers can more easily sell them.
What We Are Looking For
- The bale tag applicator to be installed on a baler should cost no more than US$1,000 for a small square baler, US$2,000 for a round baler, or US$4,000 for a large square baler.
- The bale tag itself should cost no more than US$0.10.
Learn More
| Challenge Owner(s) | JAPFA |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Agri-tech, Circular Economy & Sustainability, Wholesale Trade |
Water Recycling on Livestock Farms
Japfa wants to sustainably increase the volume of wastewater treated, as well as improve the quality of the treated water so it can be applicable for more uses. Japfa is seeking more sustainable solutions than conventional water filtration or reverse osmosis systems due to constraints such as water scarcity, space limitations and energy intensity.
What We Are Looking For
Water Quality – The solution should purify the water enough for it to be reused for production processes, based on local industry standards (which differ from country to country).
Energy Requirements – The solution should use significantly less energy compared to traditional water treatment and RO systems.
Cost Effectiveness – The solution should cost less to procure and operate than traditional water treatment and RO systems.
Scalability – The solution should be scalable to accommodate the diverse needs of poultry, farm and processing operations of varying sizes.
Ease of Integration – It should be easy to integrate the solution into existing poultry, farm or processing operations without causing significant disruptions.
Japfa is not interested in solutions that solely rely on conventional reverse osmosis systems, as these have high energy requirements and thus a large carbon footprint. Additionally, solutions that do not address the affordability of the solution or offer substantial energy savings will not be considered.
Learn More
| Challenge Owner(s) | PT. Sukses Mantap Sejahtera |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Agri-tech, Wholesale Trade |
Uses of Sugarcane By-products
- Bagasse – the fibrous material left behind after extracting juice from sugarcane;
- Molasses – a thick, syrupy residue left after sugar extraction;
- Sugarcane leaves; and
- Mudcake – the dirt on the sugarcane when it is brought into the mill.
How might we create value-added products from sugarcane by-products, thereby enhancing the sustainability and profitability of sugarcane processing?
Potential opportunities include processing the molasses into yeast, rum or ethanol. These are just three possibilities considered. Equally, the surplus bagasse could be palletised and exported for others to convert to energy, for example. Or it can be transformed into biodegradable food packaging, like bowls and plates. However, due to local conditions, SMS is not seeking solutions to turn bagasse into energy fed into the power grid.
At present, by-products are put to good use by SMS, making it a very sustainable and circular economy-focused enterprise:
- Bagasse and cane leaves fuel boilers producing energy to run the processing operations. Excess steam is condensed and reused in the boilers.
- Mudcake is filtered during the process and is used as fertiliser.
- Molasses is currently sold to traders.
Innovators are encouraged to propose a new approach or use that SMS has not yet executed or considered.
What We Are Looking For
The execution of your proposed solution needs to be feasible with the local workforce that has relatively low technical skills. Also, your solution should prioritise the ease of adoption with minimal changes to existing processes.
Your solution should have a clear and demonstrable Return-on-Investment (ROI), given the cost of investment in-plant, operating costs, and the revenue achieved from selling the value-added product(s).
PILOT
The pilot needs to be aligned with availability of by-products from the harvest season in May to October 2024, in Dompu, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
Resources and incentives
SMS is prepared to support the selected solution provider with plantation data, project management assistance, and access to pilot and test facilities.
SMS is also providing funding of S$10,000 for a trial: S$5,000 upon selecting an innovator and S$5,000 when the trial is completed with agreed outputs.
Enterprise Singapore is augmenting this support with a S$20,000 POC development grant. This POC development grant will be made available to solution providers, both local and foreign, provided that they engage in innovation development activities in Singapore.
Info Session
Check out the recording from our Info Session, where SMS shared more about their challenge statement.
Market Potential / Business Opportunity
As SMS intends to significantly increase production in the coming years, the volume of surplus by-products will be significant. The initial project will be tested in Indonesia, with the goal of introducing the product to the Indonesian and ASEAN markets.
Other Considerations
SMS is open to working with startups at any stage of maturity or ready-to-market solutions.
| Challenge Owner(s) | (TTC AgriS) Thành Thành Công - Biên Hòa Joint Stock Company |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Circular Economy & Sustainability, Wholesale Trade |
Transforming Bagasse into Sustainable Plastic Products
Thành Thành Công - Biên Hòa Joint Stock Company (TTC AgriS) is a multinational agricultural enterprise, initially formed as a joint venture with Group Bourbon, Sugarcane Union II, and Tay Ninh Sugarcane Union. With over 50 years of experience, TTC AgriS commands nearly 50% of Vietnam's sugar industry market share. It operates ten sugar factories, including facilities in Laos and Cambodia, with a total daily production capacity of 4,690 tons of sugar.
What We Are Looking For
- Feature: Full biodegradability, breaking down into natural substances within a reasonable timeframe (for example, compostable within months to a year)
- Performance: Efficient degradation under diverse environmental conditions, minimising environmental impact and plastic pollution
- Feature: Sufficient strength and durability comparable to traditional plastics
- Performance: Resistant to mechanical stress, bending, and stretching without compromising integrity, suitable for various applications without frequent breakage
- Feature: Resistance to water absorption, ensuring stability in moisture-rich environment
- Performance: Maintains structural integrity and functionality in humid or wet conditions, suitable for diverse environments
- Feature: Customisable formulation for specific applications
- Performance: Flexibility in adjusting material properties (for example, flexibility and rigidity) to meet various product requirements
- The maximum product cost for biodegradable plastic solutions derived from bagasse aimed at the range of no more than 20% higher than the cost of equivalent traditional plastics currently available in the market
- Feature: Easy processing using common manufacturing techniques like injection moulding, extrusion and thermoforming
- Performance: Compatible with standard processing equipment, seamless integration into existing manufacturing processes
- Feature: Compliance with relevant international standards and certifications for biodegradable and compostable plastics
- Performance: Meeting established standards, ensuring product authenticity and environmental claims, building trust
- Feature: Food-safe and approved for direct contact with edible items
- Performance: Non-toxic, odourless, free from harmful chemicals, ensuring safety for food products and consumers
| Challenge Owner(s) | Maha Chemicals |
|---|
Sustainable Surfactant Solution Using Biotechnology
Maha Chemicals Asia is a chemicals and solutions provider with offices in twelve countries across Asia. They specialise in the distribution of a wide range of industrial chemicals, specialty chemicals, and raw materials for various industries including personal care, food and beverages, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. By 2025, Maha hopes to achieve sustainability in 80% of the solutions they provide to their partners - both business and environmental sustainability.
Surfactants are crucial compounds found in numerous everyday products, such as soaps, detergents, shampoos, and cosmetics. In the surfactant industry, petrochemical-based surfactants have been used extensively in personal care and household products. However, a growing consumer awareness of health-related concerns has triggered a shift towards more natural surfactants, primarily those derived from coconut and palm oils.
However, with an increasing demand for palm and coconut oil-based surfactants, new sustainability-related challenges emerge. These oils are critical ingredients in human food, and with increasing demand concerns regarding food source scarcity have grown. To meet the soaring demand for these oils, land spaces, pesticide and fertiliser use increases to boost yields. Also, unethical producers contribute to environmental problems by engaging in unsustainable practices such as deforestation.
Efforts have been made by surfactant producers to explore alternative oils to replace palm and coconut oils such as sunflower, rapeseed and soybean oils. However, production of these alternatives are not efficient as palm requires more land. Plus they compete with human food applications.How might we develop a sustainable surfactant solution using biotechnology to reduce the strain on palm and coconut oil resources?
Maha seeks innovative solutions to produce surfactants by employing microorganisms, enzymes, or other biological means. Maha’s focus is on anionic charged biosurfactants, which they aim to use in toiletry and detergent applications. Anionic bio-surfactants offer several advantages in this context such as easy wash-off compared to other types of surfactants, effective cleaning with high foaming, ability to build viscosity with a mix of amphoteric in surfactant system and lower oil removal which can result in a "non-dry feel" after washing.
Having a solution to this challenge can help alleviate the strain on natural resources, lessen the environmental footprint, and promote the development of more eco-friendly and sustainable products.What We Are Looking For
- Biotechnological methods such as fermentation, bioengineering, and microbiological biosynthesis.
- Use sustainable feedstocks, including industrial, food waste, and environmental waste.
- Avoid the inclusion of animal-derived materials in feedstocks.
- Ideal end product surfactant with a C-chain range of C8-C18, targeting carbon chain distribution of 80%-90% composed with C10 -14
- Ionic charge is not a priority in the initial stage, but anionic charge is preferable.
- Stable and good solubility in acidic conditions (pH 4-7)
- Complete solubility in water.
- Colourless and odourless.
- A high HLB 16-18 (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) value that offers two main benefits: excellent water solubility within a transparent surfactant system and the maximisation of foam production in the surfactant system.
- Safe and sustainable production process with no harmful raw materials or residual substances which potentially lead to skin irritation.
- Regulatory compliance with animal-free/vegan standards.
- Avoid the use of CITES-listed endangered animals and plants in the production process.
- End product should be free from allergens, microplastics, and carcinogens.
- Adherence to SVHC requirements: https://echa.europa.eu/candidate-list-table.
- Focus on low energy consumption.
- Production capacity targets of 500kg/day, 15mt/month, or 150mt/year.
- Simplified and automated processes with minimal manpower.
- Secure and sustainable feedstock supply to prevent shortages and seasonal impacts.
- Minimise biohazards throughout the entire process.
- Below USD15/kg for anionic/ amphoteric surfactants
- Below USD20/kg for cationic surfactants
- Below USD20/kg for non-ionic surfactants
Estimated based on high purity surfactants > 80% surfactant active content.
PILOT
Flexible time frame, but the duration from the project's initiation to the creation of the first prototype should be less than 6 months.
The estimated timeframe for scaling up production is projected to be around 1 to 1.5 years.
Resources and incentives
Maha Chemicals is providing S$30,000 for the prototype stage and a further S$50,000 to scale up the solution. In addition, they will provide support for R&D and pilot sites.
Enterprise Singapore is augmenting this support with a S$20,000 POC development grant. This POC development grant will be made available to solution providers, both local and foreign, provided that they engage in innovation development activities in Singapore.
Info Session
Check out the recording from our Info Session, where Maha Chemicals shared more about their challenge statement.
Market Potential / Business Opportunity
Estimated Quantity After Scale-Up Production:
- Year 1: 50mt
- Year 2: 100mt
- Year 3: 300mt
Surfactant Application Priorities (Starting from Highest to Lowest):
Personal Care Application:
- Cleaning agent for use in products like shampoo, body wash, facial wash, and hand wash.
- Cationic surfactant for use as a conditioning agent for skin and hair, as well as for its antibacterial properties.
- Emulsifier and solubiliser for use in products such as creams, lotions, toners, essence, sunscreen, and makeup base.
Household Care Application:
- Cleaning agent for use in dishwashing, fabric detergent, and kitchen and floor surface cleaning.
- Cationic surfactant for antibacterial properties and as a fabric softener.
- Emulsifying and solubilising agent for household furniture care, car surface maintenance, and leather care.
Agriculture Application:
- Adjuvant for leaf penetration.
- Spreading agent.
- Emulsifier and solubiliser for use with pesticides and fertilisers.
Food Application:
- Emulsifier and solubiliser for use in beverages, bakery products, and other food applications.
Other Considerations
Maha Chemicals is actively seeking Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), startups, or research institutes capable of addressing their specific pain points. They are open to various forms of collaboration and engagement. This development project is intended to enhance their existing business line. Target markets are global.
Ideally, potential candidates should meet one of the following criteria:
- High level of technology readiness.
- Possess a well-defined production route, including feedstocks and raw materials, with a high likelihood of success.
| Challenge Owner(s) | Housing & Development Board (HDB) |
|---|
Renewable Energy Solutions and Emission Reduction
What We Are Looking For
Scalability – The proposed solution should be scalable and capable of implementation across multiple HDB estates through HDB's BTO projects or the Green Towns Programme.
Integration – The solution should seamlessly integrate with existing HDB infrastructure and systems, including the electrical grid and building management systems. It should not necessitate significant modifications to the current infrastructure.
Learn More
| Challenge Owner(s) | Keppel Corporation |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Circular Economy & Sustainability, Infrastructure, Urban Solutions |
Reduction of Plug-Load Energy Consumption
What We Are Looking For
Learn More
| Challenge Owner(s) | Chang Chun Group, Shing Leck Engineering Services |
|---|
Recovery of Low-Grade Heat Waste (80°C)
What We Are Looking For
-
A heat exchanger system to transfer waste heat to other processes that require heat input;
-
An Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system or thermoelectric generator to convert low-grade heat into electricity; and/or
-
Heat pumps to elevate the temperature of the waste heat to a level suitable for specific processes.
Learn More
| Challenge Owner(s) | (Tata Steel) T S Global Procurement Pte Ltd |
|---|
Recovery of Low-Grade Heat Waste (150°C)
Tata Steel is a global steel manufacturing company headquartered in India. Like many heavy industries, steel production involves numerous processes that generate a significant amount of waste heat, which is often considered "low-grade" heat due to its relatively low temperature (150-200 degrees Celsius). Unless recovered, this waste heat is released into the environment, contributing to energy loss and impacting the environment.
What We Are Looking For
- The heat recovery system should capture and convert low-grade waste heat (150-200 degrees Celsius) into usable energy to power equipment or for heating purposes. Your solution should include an integrated process that optimises the utilisation of waste heat within the steel production facility itself.
- Technologies like thermoelectric generators, Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems, and heat pumps to efficiently convert waste heat into electricity can be explored. Integration should minimise interference with the existing plant setup as much as possible.
-
The solution should be able to achieve one of the following:> Heat-to-Power (ideal)> Heat-to-Heat
| Challenge Owner(s) | Housing & Development Board (HDB) |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Environmental Services, Urban Solutions |
Rainwater Recycling
What We Are Looking For
- Scalability: The proposed solution should be scalable and capable of implementation across multiple HDB estates through HDB's BTO projects or the Green Towns Programme.
- Integration: The solution should seamlessly integrate with existing HDB infrastructure and systems, including the electrical grid and building management systems. It should not necessitate significant modifications to the current infrastructure.
- Durability: The solution should be durable and have a long lifespan, at least comparable to the current building materials and systems used in HDB estates. It should be capable of withstanding Singapore's harsh tropical climate and requiring minimal maintenance over its lifespan.
- Cost-effectiveness: The solution should be cost-effective to produce and use, offering a reasonable payback period and a low total cost of ownership. It should not substantially increase the construction or maintenance costs of HDB estates and should deliver long-term cost savings.
- Safety and compliance: The solution must prioritise safety and comply with relevant regulations and standards, such as the Building and Construction Authority's (BCA) Green Mark certification and safety standards. It should not pose any safety risks to residents or the environment and should meet all applicable regulatory requirements.
| Challenge Owner(s) | Ghim Li |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Circular Economy & Sustainability, Retail |
Organic Synthetic Dyes and Fixing Agents
With the above parameters in mind, the solution should not only meet technical requirements, but also align with sustainable best practices and market demands.
Learn More
| Challenge Owner(s) | The Polyolefin Company (TPC) |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Energy & Chemicals |
The Polyolefin Company (TPC)
The Polyolefin Company (TPC) is the first major and today one of the largest polyolefin manufacturers in Southeast Asia. Like many other manufacturers in the industry, it relies heavily on complex industrial processes that demand substantial energy and water consumption, especially in the operation of cooling systems. Over time, it has become evident that some of these chillers are not operating at their full capacity, leading to energy losses. This underutilisation of the existing equipment presents an opportunity to increase the efficiency of the plant's cooling system.
The objective is to achieve a harmonious balance between maintaining high production standards and minimising resource usage. With that in mind, solution providers are encouraged to propose an innovative yet feasible approach that can reduce overall energy and water consumption. The expected energy savings are significant, with estimates suggesting a potential 30-40% reduction in electricity costs if the chiller integration solution proves successful. Potential solutions could involve integrating the various chiller units within the facility, and/or enhancing monitoring and evaluating the performance of the chiller units.
What We Are Looking For
The aim is to integrate, as far as possible, into a single chiller which can provide a range of output temperatures from -4°C to 5°C.
Learn More| Challenge Owner(s) | Cargill |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Agri-tech, Circular Economy & Sustainability, Food Manufacturing |
Cargill
To overcome challenges of manpower intensivity, inaccuracy and variable weather conditions on measurements of effectiveness of fertilizer use, Cargill wants to evaluate alternative indicators that may exist as proxies for growth, which overcome the palm crop growth cycle. They are also keen to explore a range of solutions that utilise the extensive data they have collected to reduce manual labour involved, and also through analytics, determine if there are other factors they should track. In general, any solution optimising fertiliser type and use is welcome.
What We Are Looking For
The solution should result in:
- 20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (per metric ton of crude palm oil) attributable to fertiliser application; and
- A minimum 20% decrease in fertiliser expenditure.
| Challenge Owner(s) | Micron Technology |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Circular Economy & Sustainability, Digital/ICT, Electronics |
Micron Technology
Micron is looking for innovative solutions to improve the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are released during the manufacture of semiconductors. DRE is a measure of how effectively an abatement system removes or converts pollutants by employing techniques such as thermal oxidation, scrubbing, and catalytic conversion. Micron aims to achieve:
- Emission Reduction: Reducing environmental footprint by minimising emissions of hazardous gases and VOCs that can have adverse effects on air quality and public health.
- Regulatory Compliance: Meeting and even exceeding stringent environmental regulations that govern emissions from industrial facilities.
What We Are Looking For
Micron is looking for a complete solution from sample collection and data analysis to the provision of data on abatement system effectiveness, and ability to make rapid adjustments to ensure optimal performance.
The following are the minimum requirements:
- An automated real-time sampling process;
- A centralised onsite and offsite monitoring platform that collects, analyses, and displays the data from multiple sources;
- An AI-enabled capability to enhance the pace and accuracy of analysis; and
- The use of innovative sensors and measurement tools to analyse DRE effectiveness in real-time.
The following are additional features (desirable but not critical) that you may propose:
- A sensor network to monitor emissions and abatement system parameters in real-time;
- Remote control capabilities that allow operators to adjust abatement settings from a central location; and
- An intuitive user interface that provides actionable insights for operators to make informed decisions.
| Challenge Owner(s) | Diageo |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Circular Economy & Sustainability, Retail |
Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in the alcoholic beverage industry, renowned for its exceptional portfolio of iconic brands. It is looking to decrease the carbon footprint or increase the circularity of alcohol gift packaging, which can include alternative packaging materials and design practices. Proposals for innovative business models or partnerships that further enhance the circularity of the packaging are welcome as well.
What We Are Looking For
The packaging should:
- Have a carbon footprint of no more than 3 kg of carbon emissions per 1kg of packaging (will need to be validated);
- Ensure that the glass bottles (usually weigh between 0.8 and 1 kg, and come in 700ml and 1L sizes) are well protected;
- Weigh less than 1kg;
- Be made from at least 60% recycled content;
- Maintain a premium look and feel consistent with that of Diageo’s products; and
- Ideally use renewable energy as a power source in its production.
| Challenge Owner(s) | Island Concrete |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Circular Economy & Sustainability, Energy & Chemicals, Infrastructure |
Island Concrete
Island Concrete, a subsidiary of Hong Leong Asia under its Building Materials Group, is interested in exploring and trialling innovative green cement solutions that can significantly reduce emissions yet offer high performance and are economically viable. The focus is on alternative materials that can be used in the production to reduce the amount of clinker required. The company is keen to explore the use of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate, which has been trialled before, in combination with other chemicals to form new alternative materials.
What We Are Looking For
The alternative material should:
- Be readily available in Singapore or easily sourced from other countries;
- Ideally cost the same or less than materials used in normal concrete;
- Ideally have a better input-to-performance ratio than currently used materials; and
- Be suitable for bulk handling and storage within HL Building Materials / Island Concrete’s bulk material/powder silos.
| Challenge Owner(s) | Housing & Development Board (HDB) |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Circular Economy & Sustainability, Infrastructure, Real Estate |
Housing & Development Board (HDB)
HDB is seeking innovative solutions to reduce the embodied carbon emissions in the Built Environment. Specifically, they are looking for sustainable and green construction materials that can be used in HDB construction and infrastructure projects to reduce embodied carbon emissions and comply with evolving sustainability standards. Any new materials or mixtures suggested should ideally not cause disruptions to production schedules.
What We Are Looking For
- Scalability: The proposed solution should be scalable and capable of implementation across multiple HDB estates through HDB's BTO projects or the Green Towns Programme.
- Integration: The solution should seamlessly integrate with existing HDB infrastructure and systems, including the electrical grid and building management systems. It should not necessitate significant modifications to the current infrastructure.
- Durability: The solution should be durable and have a long lifespan, at least comparable to the current building materials and systems used in HDB estates. It should be capable of withstanding Singapore's harsh tropical climate and requiring minimal maintenance over its lifespan.
- Cost-effectiveness: The solution should be cost-effective to produce and use, offering a reasonable payback period and a low total cost of ownership. It should not substantially increase the construction or maintenance costs of HDB estates and should deliver long-term cost savings.
- Safety and Compliance: The solution must prioritise safety and comply with relevant regulations and standards, such as the Building and Construction Authority's (BCA) Green Mark certification and safety standards. It should not pose any safety risks to residents or the environment and should meet all applicable regulatory requirements.
| Challenge Owner(s) | Advario Singapore |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Energy & Chemicals, Infrastructure, Marine & Offshore, Sea Transport, Sustainable Energy |
Advario
Advario is a leading, independent liquid and gas logistics provider with over 50 years of heritage in operating industrial storage terminals. In Singapore, it operates four sites on Jurong Island and is a major player in liquid storage logistics, handling various products, including chemicals, gases, fuels, and new energy products. To find alternatives to the limited available land for harnessing solar energy in Singapore, Advario is exploring the utilisation of sea spaces, where solar panels may be deployed and float on the sea surface. Floating solar, or Floating Photovoltaics (FPV), is a relatively new mode for capturing solar energy in Singapore that offers great potential for renewable energy.
Currently there are only a few operational FPV sites around the island city, and the deployment of FPV is only at the beginning of its journey to realising its full potential. Advario believes that a collaborative approach is a necessary and key ingredient to accelerate the adoption of FPV in Singapore, which is highly urbanised and has one of the busiest sea lanes in the world. This leads to challenges, such as needing to design FPV systems to safely function within tight live operating spaces, and uncertainties, like those that arise when coordinating with multiple stakeholders.
What We Are Looking For
The primary focus of this challenge centres on these three aspects: ensuring that the FPV platforms are easy to operate and maintain, guaranteeing workers safety at sea, and enhancing the mobility of FPV systems for quick deployment and easy redeployment.
Advario aims to streamline the installation, inspection, and repair processes for FPV platforms, while developing a scalable, robust framework. This framework should:
- Maximise energy generation potential;
- Adapt to diverse water bodies and weather conditions; and
- Accelerate the adoption of floating solar as a competitive and reliable renewable energy source in Singapore's sea spaces.
- Address risks in relation to fire safety in an operating environment.
The floating platform should offer a similar or better energy yield to that of a ground or rooftop-mounted PV system per unit area of deployment. It has to be low-cost yet resilient and convenient to deploy and maintain. It may also employ a modular system that facilitates the easy replacement of damaged or faulty parts within the FPV system, as well as its quick removal, and subsequent redeployment, in the event of an emergency.
Learn More
| Challenge Owner(s) | Michelin Group SMPT |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Digital/ICT |
(Michelin Group) Societe Des Matieres Premieres Tropicales (SMPT)
With 85% of the world’s production of natural rubber originating from smallholder farmers, the SMPT firmly believes that empowering smallholders to be resilient and responsible is a key part of the solution for a sustainable natural rubber value chain. In response, it has deployed holistic capacity-building programmes, supported by a digital training and impact measurement tool, that empowers farmers to adopt good practices. These projects aim to address income generation, workers’ rights, health and safety, and environmental practices. They also aim to create opportunities for livelihood diversification through intercropping and agroforestry models.
As intercropping and agroforestry practices are being established through the smallholder training programmes, SMPT has been looking to create new opportunities and maximise value from these climate-smart interventions. One potential opportunity is to tap into the carbon economy to fully value these interventions, which increase carbon sequestration in the land.
SMPT is looking for a comprehensive end-to-end solution that supports the whole process of creating value from climate-smart practices (for example, certification of carbon credits) and bringing them to market. This includes:
- Identifying eligible farms for carbon projects;
- Selecting appropriate methodologies;
- Measuring emissions;
- Conducting audits;
- Certifying carbon credits; and
- Facilitating market entry.
What We Are Looking For
The solution should simplify and overcome the challenges of data collection and monitoring which is in accordance with internationally recognised standards, for example, the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program by Verra.
This all-in-one digital solution, which should be accessible through a dedicated app or a digital module, should:
- Enable cost-efficiency: By simplifying the data collection and monitoring process, it should make the process of data collection and accreditation of carbon credits more cost-efficient, even if the project comprises multiple smallholder plots scattered around a landscape. This should result in tangible value generation which can be returned as additional capital to the capacity building programmes for new and existing activities.
- Be user-friendly for smallholders: The app or digital module should be intuitive and simple enough for smallholders to use without requiring too much additional guidance. Having an “offline mode” version for data input should be considered as well.
- Be customised for smallholder farms: The solution should focus on smallholder farmers, with farm sizes ranging from 1 to 3 hectares.
- Utilise existing data: The solution should leverage existing online data sources to streamline verification processes. For example, existing databases on Global Forest Watch can be used to check for deforestation.
| Challenge Owner(s) | FKS Food and Agri |
|---|---|
| Industry Types(s) | Circular Economy & Sustainability, Food Manufacturing |
FKS Food and Agri
FKS Food and Agri (FKS) is a Southeast Asian food and feed supplier. In line with its “farm-to-plate” business model, it is involved in various stages of the value chain for a wide range of agrifood products, from procurement, to packaging, to distribution. As one of the leading food suppliers in Indonesia, its business is broadly divided into three categories: Consumer Branded Food, Pantry Essentials and Staple Food and Feed.
Bungsari Flour Mills, a FKS joint-venture company, produces and distributes flour products to more than 45 cities in Indonesia, serving businesses and consumers. Most of these flour products are sold under the Bola brand, namely Bola Saju, an all-purpose wheat flour for making wheat-based dishes, and Bola Merah, a wheat-based flour used for making fritters and snacks.
FKS Food and Agri carries a range of products in industrial-sized packages, each weighing 25kg. Around 23 million such bags are produced per year using polypropylene (PP) packaging for Bungasari Flour Mills.Although polypropylene is preferred because of its strength and resistance to tears, it is not biodegradable. As it is common for end users to repurpose flour bags as trash bags, these PP bags tend to end up in landfills, taking up space, degrading very slowly, and potentially leaching harmful chemicals into the environment.
How might we develop a new packaging solution for 25kg bags of agricultural products like wheat flour, that is more sustainable and yet cost-effective?
FKS Food and Agri is looking for an innovative, sustainable packaging material for heavier wheat flour products, without compromising the strength and durability of the packaging.
What We Are Looking For
The packaging solution should:
- Weigh between 90 and 100g;
- Ensure a product shelf life of over nine months;
- Be porous to allow for fumigation;
- Have a mechanical strength comparable to that of the existing PP bag for 25kg products;
- Have a seal strength that can withstand a kinetic weight of 25kg;
- Be able to withstand a drop test from a height of 2.5m; and
- Be sealed via sewing or heat, to ensure that it is compatible with existing machines in FKS manufacturing lines.
The packaging solution should not:
- Exceed the cost of the original material by more than 10%; and
- Be made of paper, primarily due to cost considerations.
PILOT
The pilot will be held in Indonesia and should be completed between six and twelve months.
Resources and incentives
FKS Food and Agri is providing funding of up to S$30,000 for a trial.
Enterprise Singapore is augmenting this support with a S$20,000 POC development grant. This POC development grant will be made available to solution providers, both local and foreign, provided that they engage in innovation development activities in Singapore.
Info Session
Check out the recording from our Info Session, where FKS Food and Agri shared more about their challenge statement.
Market Potential / Business Opportunity
The 25kg packaging material, if successful, can potentially be adopted for products like refined sugar, corn flour and rice flour within FKS Group. An estimated 80 million bags are produced for these purposes each year.
Sign up for the latest innovation updates
Customise your preferences to receive updates in industries you're interested in.