Table Of ContentABOUT ICES
ICES is a national research institute focused on the application of the latest advances in
science to the solution of real world problems. The challenges in providing clean water,
energy, food and the materials society requires to thrive and to develop, in a sustainable
way are global, but have special relevance to Singapore, an export driven economy at the
heart of Asia, the most rapidly growing economic region in the world.
Our teams of scientists and engineers are multi-national, drawn from leading academic
institutions and industry from around the world. They work together supported by world
leading infrastructure – advanced characterisation facilities, state-of-the-art kilo lab and
laboratories - to solve problems from basic but mission oriented research, through to the
early stages of development. Inventing compounds, materials, catalysts and developing
sustainable processes to make them, with commercial potential.
Our researchers are provided with a wide range of challenging topics – from fundamental
science to applied development – and in the process, expanding career possibilities with
ICES. Our outlook is global. Our work is driven by our passion for science backed up by our
aim to make a real difference in a commercial environment and based on our core values
of safety and research integrity.
Dr Keith Carpenter
Executive Director
Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences
Sustainable &
Innovative Processes
for Pharmaceuticals
This programme develops capabilities for the pharmaceutical and
associated industries through research, training and technology
transfer. There are two main technical themes – processing and
products.
Under the processing theme we work in both traditional and
emerging process technologies, with activities relevant to primary
(API) and secondary (solid dose) processing. Underpinning these
are our technical skills in chemistry, chemical engineering, analytics,
crystallisation, formulation and others, which can be deployed fl exibly
to address industrial problems ranging from the troubleshooting of
existing processes to the development of new chemical routes and the
evaluation of innovative manufacturing technologies.
The products theme addresses formulation technologies and materials
development such as the creation of co-crystals and microporous
substrates to support controlled drug release and product life extension.
Sustainable &
Innovative Processes
for Specialty
Chemical Products
This programme focuses on strengthening the capabilities
necessary to develop key sub-clusters that form part of Singapore’s
industry ecosystem. These sub-clusters include personal and
consumer care, food & nutrition and oilfi eld chemicals.
The same capabilities being developed may also support a wider range
of industry interests, such as antifouling applications, specialty coatings,
lube additives and agrochemicals.
Our unique value proposition lies in our ability to form teams to work
across different length-scales, from the molecular level and the laboratory
to the pilot scale. This is supported by wide-ranging capabilities from
chemical synthesis, specialty polymer design, biorenewable conversion
via heterogeneous catalysis, biotechnology, crystallisation and product
formulation, advanced analytics, process modelling and development
including Environmental, Health & Safety and Life Cycle Assessment to
kilogramme-scale manufacturing.
Sustainable &
Innovative Processes
for Chemicals
The current key themes of this research programme are alternative
feedstocks; biomass-derived chemicals; C1 chemistry; value-
added products from petrochemicals, and CO2 capture and
utilisation.
Our wide range of technical skills includes chemistry, chemical
engineering, catalysis, polymer chemistry, biotechnology, molecular
modeling, process modelling and development, among others. These
skills can be integrated easily to address industrial needs in a multi-
disciplinary approach to develop novel, more effi cient and innovative
processes to produce bulk chemicals.
This programme hosts several Science & Engineering Research Council
initiatives, such as the Value-added Chemicals from Lignocellulose
(VACL) and the Biomass to Chemicals programmes. It is also involved in
other programmes under the Council, including the A*STAR Capabilities
for Automotive Research (A*CAR) and the A*STAR Aerospace Research
Programme.
ASSOCIATED RESEARCH
PRO RAMMES
G
In addition to funding critical core programmes, ICES is also spearheading several other external
funded ‘Associated Research’ programmes. These programmes are meant to develop strong
capability and critical skills in new growth areas for the next phase of development in the
chemicals industry in Singapore. Lasting over a period of three years or more, such programmes
incorporate active industry participation in many cases.
• Biomass-to-Chemicals
• Experimental Power Grid Centre
• No Small Organic Compounds (NoSOC)
• Oilfield Chemicals
Biomass-to-Chemicals
The global bio-renewable chemicals market has been growing
steadily at a compounded annual growth rate of around 15% in
a trend that is likely to accelerate with new bio-based chemicals,
such as bio-ethylene. This inevitable shift for the traditional
petrochemical industry to re-invent itself for a carbon-constrained
future also offers a valuable economic opportunity for Singapore
to renew its chemical industry and maintain its advantage as a
leading chemical hub in the region.
The Biomass-to-Chemicals Programme is a multi-year, industry-
aligned research programme that aims to develop technologies
enabling the production of high-value chemicals from biomass or
biomass-derived feedstock. Spanning across various institutes
in A*STAR, the programme is spearheaded by ICES with the
participation of IMRE, IHPC, GIS, BII, IBN and the p53 Laboratory.
The programme consists of a portfolio of projects which fall under two key developmental tracks:
• Route Development Activities • Capability Development Activities
Projects focused on addressing the derivation of specific Projects which seek to develop platform capabilities
targets from biomass-derived feedstocks, such as which are needed to support route development efforts.
acrylic acid, butadiene and adipic acid.
Experimental Power Grid Centre
Increased penetration of distributed energy resources such as solar and wind
has resulted in the need for solutions to counter the intermittency issues and
ensure a grid that is reliable and robust. The need for better management of
assets and reduce system down-time highlights the importance of research into
intelligent electrical machines with the ability for self diagnosis and condition
monitoring. These are some of the problems that EPGC is addressing by
maintaining key domain expertise in Power Systems and Power Electronics.
Coupled with advanced simulation capabilities and a unique experimental grid
facility, EPGC provides a platform for industry to tap on, to locally develop
solutions for a global market.
The Experimental Power Grid Centre is a world-class facility specially mandated
to lead A*STAR’s efforts in developing new technologies for the intelligent and
decentralised power distribution, interconnection and utilisation. Opened on
1 Nov 2011, the facility is sited on Jurong Island, with the following features:
• An experimental power grid that can operate in islanded, grid-connected or power
grid emulator connected mode.
• Power network that is able to reconfigure to various topologies such as radial or serial
or loop.
• Test bays to accommodate additional experimental stations.
• Fuel infrastructure for addition of novel energy sources.
• Power electronics laboratory for development of hardware prototypes.
• Real-time simulator with hardware-in-loop capabilities.
• Real-time monitoring and control of experimental power grid.
No Small Organic
Compounds
(NoSOC)
Environmentally-Friendly
Water-based Specialty Products
Small Organic Compounds (SOC) can cause short and long
term health effects on humans and can be damaging to the
environment. The ever tightening environmental regulations and
increased health awareness are driving the use and growth of
water-based specialty products such as coatings and personal
care products.
No Small Organic Compounds (NoSOC) is an ICES-led
A*STAR’s research programme which aims at developing water-
based NoSOC personal and consumer care products (including
specialty coatings).
Our vision is to establish Singapore as a centre of excellence in
smart solutions to avoid NoSOC.
A critical component in this development programme is the
training and development of skill manpower for the industry
through a series of workshops and seminars.
Oilfield Chemicals
Specialty chemicals form a growth opportunity
for Singapore, with oilfield chemicals fast
emerging as a sub-cluster. There is a strong
oil and gas ecosystem – comprising oil
majors, oilfield services companies and oilfield
equipment companies – in Singapore today.
Oilfield chemicals companies can tap into this
ecosystem and form partnerships to develop
holistic system-level solutions to serve their end-
customers’ needs.
Building up the relevant scientific capabilities will encourage The research programme will tackle real-world challenges
these companies to further establish research and and will include the following subject areas:
development activities in oilfield chemicals in Singapore.
This move will complete the value-chain that ranges from • Understanding of product specifications for enhanced
marine and offshore companies to oil and gas service oil recovery and combination solutions.
players and specialty chemical ingredient manufacturers. • Environmentally acceptable solutions.
• Chemical synthesis and formulation development.
Having identified oilfield chemicals as a growth area, ICES • Downstream application development capabilities and
continues to support research and development through facilities at high temperature, pressure, salinity and
resources in manpower and facilities which include a acidity.
dedicated laboratory for research in oilfield chemicals. • Aqueous effluent processing.
For more information on our associated research programmes,
please contact: [email protected].
Description:are our technical skills in chemistry, chemical engineering, analytics, crystallisation, formulation lube additives and agrochemicals. Our unique value
