Singapore is investing S$118 million (about US$92 million) to grow its bioeconomy. The new Bioeconomy Funding Initiative (FI) sits under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 Plan. It aims to help energy and chemicals companies develop and commercialise bio-based solutions.
The FI will fund industry-aligned research by public sector research performers. Work will cover bio-based specialty chemicals and drop-in biomolecules that fit into the existing energy and chemicals industry. It is the largest funding initiative dedicated to Singapore’s bioeconomy so far. Combined with other programmes, it contributes to a commitment of about S$200 million (around US$156 million) over five years.
The FI has four focus areas. The first turns regional sidestreams, such as palm residues and crude glycerol from biodiesel production, into lower-cost raw materials.Â
The second engineers microbes and enzyme pathways with tools including artificial intelligence. The aim is faster production, higher yields and lower costs.Â
The third improves how bio-based products are produced, separated and purified at industrial scale.Â
The fourth targets commercially relevant products, from synthetic rubbers to cosmetic ingredients. It seeks the best production route for each, whether biological, chemical or a hybrid.
The energy and chemicals industry accounts for about 20% of Singapore’s manufacturing output. The global market for bio-based chemicals is expected to exceed US$200 billion by 2030.
A Bioeconomy Innovation Office, hosted by A*STAR, will manage new bioeconomy R&D projects. The Economic Development Board will act as sector lead and help shape industry engagement. Funding will be distributed over five years through directed and open grant calls.
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