Singapore commits S$118m to bio-based chemicals research
The public funding, part of the S$37 billion Research, Innovation, Enterprise (RIE) 2030 plan, aims to transform the nation's energy and chemicals sector, which accounts for one-fifth of its manufacturing output.
S$118 million for sustainable production
Singapore announced on 5 October 2026 a commitment of S$118 million in public funding for research into producing chemicals from biological materials. This represents the government's largest single investment of its kind to date. The initiative falls under the nation's S$37 billion Research, Innovation, Enterprise (RIE) 2030 plan.
Minister for Education Desmond Lee stated that the funding aims to address industry challenges within Singapore’s energy and chemicals sector. This sector, according to government figures, currently contributes one-fifth of the country's total domestic manufacturing output.
New methods and commercial products
The new Bioeconomy Funding Initiative seeks to capitalise on growing industry interest in alternatives to petroleum-based feedstocks, such as yeast or oil palm. Initial research, informed by consultations with companies and investors, will focus on converting industrial by-products into usable materials.
It will also develop new microbe and enzyme-based production methods, and work to enhance processing and production efficiency. Research and development (R&D) projects will also explore combining biological and chemical solutions to create commercially viable goods, including high-grade synthetic rubbers. These projects will be overseen by a dedicated office within the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star).
Broader bioeconomy investment
This latest scheme builds on prior funding commitments, bringing Singapore's total government spending on bioeconomy-related initiatives to approximately S$200 million over the next five years. The announcement coincided with the opening of the S$50 million National Centre for Engineering Biology (NCEB), established with funding from the earlier RIE 2025 plan.
Based at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the NCEB gathers talent to focus on specialty chemical manufacturing, product design, and testing, using machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate development.
EDB to lead industry engagement
Jermaine Loy, Managing Director of the Economic Development Board (EDB), noted that the bioeconomy offers Singapore opportunities to expand capabilities in higher-value specialty chemicals and advanced materials, while supporting the transformation of its existing industrial base towards more sustainable production.
The EDB will lead industry engagement efforts for the new funding initiative. The NCEB, currently supported by over 150 researchers and staff, is actively recruiting for an additional 50 roles, including principal investigators and technical personnel, signalling a clear path for talent acquisition in the sector.
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