• Addressing Global Needs
• Global Hydrohub
• Committed to Growing Industry
• Exporting Environmental Expertise
• Critical Mass of Global and Homegrown Players
• Growing Research Pipeline
• Singapore International Water Week

A lack of clean water and the destruction of the environment are acute problems in Asia – a region home to almost three billion people, many of whom live in crowded urban spaces. This presents vast opportunities for the environment and water industries to address and serve these needs in Asia.

Singapore has come a long way since its water rationing days in the 1960s. We have successfully turned our vulnerability into our strength by investing in research and technology to develop water management and treatment capabilities. Over the last four decades, we have built a sizeable and innovative environmental industry. We have also established a diversified and sustainable water supply from four different sources known as the Four National Taps - water from local catchment areas, imported water, reclaimed water (NEWater) and desalinated water. 

 

With a growing global emphasis on water and the environment, Singapore is well positioned to take the lead in this industry as an R&D base and provider of water solutions. Over the next decade, Singapore aims to supply technology and products to three per cent of the global water market.

Singapore has well-established science and engineering capabilities - skills that are essential to the environmental sector. Today, Singapore is recognised as a ‘Global Hydrohub’ with more than 70 companies in a vibrant water and environment ecosystem. The water sector alone should see its value-added contribution to the GDP rise from S$0.5 billion in 2003 to S$1.7 billion in 2015. Jobs for this sector are expected to double to about 11,000, and will largely comprise of professional and skilled positions. Besides water, Singapore is also building critical mass in the areas of waste management and recycling. With only one land-fill site at Pulau Semakau, there is an increased need to look at innovative waste recycling and treatment solutions to reduce our reliance on the landfill.

The Environment and Water Industry Programme Office (EWI) was set up to spearhead the growth of the environment and water industry in Singapore. Its launch came after the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (RIEC), chaired by the Prime Minister, announced that Singapore has identified the Environment and Water industry as a key growth area. In July 2006, the government said it would commit S$330 million over the next five years. The funds will go to R&D and manpower development, which will boost the local environment and water industry.

EWI, led by the PUB (Singapore’s national water agency) and the EDB, aims to attract more companies to locate their operations in Singapore. Additionally, it will help grow local environmental companies, encourage more companies and research institutes to develop cutting-edge environment and water technology, and further export Singapore's capabilities to growing markets especially in the Middle East and China.

Singapore has been at the forefront of environmental innovation. The country was an early adopter of solutions such as NEWater (waste water reclamation) and the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System. Today, water and waste treatment technology developed in Singapore is increasingly being applied in markets overseas. Leading global players such as Black & Veatch and CH2M Hill of the US are employing expertise gained in Singapore to their other projects around the world, including the US. Meanwhile, homegrown firm Hyflux is now building the world’s largest seawater desalination plant in Algeria.

Singapore is an ideal springboard for environmental and water companies looking to tap into the region. We have attracted big names such as

• General Electric, Black & Veatch, Marmon Water, Pall Corporation from the US
• Nitto Denko, Toray Industries from Japan
• Siemens from Germany and
• Veolia from France.

We have also seen local companies become regional leaders. Homegrown companies include Hyflux, now a leading global environmental solutions provider, and SembCorp Environmental Management, the largest waste management company in Southeast Asia.

Beyond water, Singapore is also nurturing the environmental industry which includes waste management and pollution control.

The National University of Singapore has set up the NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI) to bring together environment and water technology expertise from across the university. Newly set up within NERI is a landmark tripartite collaboration between NUS, Peking University and Oxford University that will focus on new generation eco-efficient water treatment technologies. Another major centre is the Singapore-Delft Water Alliance (SDWA) set up by NUS, PUB and Deltares Institute, a Netherlands-based international research and specialist consultancy firm. The SDWA will carry out research on aquatic systems, smart sensing, and engineering and technologies relating to the urban water cycle. It will also offer Masters and PhD programmes in areas such as Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Besides this, the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has formed the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI). The NEWRI eco-system includes:

• Singapore Membrane Technology Centre (SMTC) headed by renowned membrane expert Professor Anthony Fane
• DHI-NTU Water & Environment Research Centre & Education Hub - a collaboration between DHI Water & Environment, a Denmark-based international consultancy and research organisation, and NTU,
• Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering (IESE), the commercialisation and translation arm of NEWRI,
• Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre (R3C) – specializes in environmental management and aims to be a world-class urban waste management research hub for the Asia Pacific region, and
• Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Centre - a collaboration between University of New South Wales and NTU.

 

As an R&D base and a source of proprietary solutions, Singapore is also well equipped to be a global nexus for the sector’s intellectual capital. One such event is the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW). The annual event is a global platform for water solutions. It brings together policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners to address challenges, showcase technologies, and discover opportunities. Themed “Sustainable Cities – Clean & Affordable Water”, the third SIWW took place from 28 June - 2 July 2010 and was co-located with the biennially World Cities Summit. The 2010 event attracted over 1,000 delegates and trade visitors. In addition, total deals exceeding S$2.8 billion were sealed during the week.