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chapter6: p71chapter6: p71
INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION
Historically, Singaporeans have relied almost entirely on
the government to provide environmental services and
develop new environmental technologies. However, this
began to change in the mid-1990s and we have
witnessed the growth of a vibrant and dynamic
environmental industry.
In 2002, the environmental services sector contributed
0.6% of Singapore’s GDP. According to the Economic
Development Board (EDB), this contribution to Singapore’s
GDP is projected to grow 5-10% annually over the next
10 years.
A flourishing environmental industry would promote:
Singapore’s sustainability, as innovative solutions are
developed to address difficult environmental
challenges. Innovations would also bring about a wider
range of options for best-sourcing of projects;
Global sustainability because, with improved expertise,
Singapore would be in a better position to contribute
in the international arena;
Economic growth, by creating new and higher-value
jobs.
WHAT’S UNDERWAY
Increasingly, many environmental companies are working
in partnership with MEWR, NEA and PUB to ensure the
sustainability of Singapore’s environment. These companies
possess both the expertise and the technology to offer a
full range of services covering the entire environmental
value chain to both local and global markets.
Currently there are more 250 environmental companies
operating mainly in the following sectors (see Annex for
the key segments in each industry sector):
Waste management and recycling;
Energy services;
Pollution control;
Pest management;
Cleansing services;
Water and used water treatment.
06chapter
TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITYState of the Environment 2005 Report
Singapore’s vibrantenvironmental industrycontributes to our goal ofenvironmental sustainability.
Industry &Innovation
Investments in innovation
The environmental industry is constantly looking for new
and innovative ways to solve environmental problems. The
Singapore government facilitates the process by providing
support for R&D and test-bedding.
In 2001, MEWR set up a S$20-million Innovation for
Environmental Sustainability Fund (IES Fund). The objective
is to encourage and assist companies to undertake
innovative environmental projects to help meet our goal
of environmental sustainability.
Solid Waste Management
Collection of municipal waste has been undertaken by the
private sector since 1996. Altvater Jakob Pte Ltd, FME Onyx
Pte Ltd and SembWaste Pte Ltd are currently the three public
waste collectors who help to ensure that the huge amount
of municipal refuse generated daily is collected and disposed
of efficiently.
In addition. industry associations have been formed among
environmental companies to facilitate collaboration and
exchanges of ideas between companies that provide
similar services. Associations such as the Singapore Water
Association are also a common platform for them to co-
operate with government agencies, and have the critical
mass to take on larger projects together and to raise their
international profile. (A description of the major industry
associations can be found in the Annex).
The objective is to encourage and assist companies toundertake innovative environmental projects to helpmeet our goal of environmental sustainability.
The Government has adopted the following approach in
working with the industry to ensure that companies stay
relevant while continuing to grow:
Nurturing new technologies and capabilities to address
environmental needs;
Working in partnership with companies in providing
environmental services;
Positioning Singapore as an environmental hub;
Improving the image and professionalism of the
environmental services sector.
Innovation for Environmental Sustainability Fund
Grants from the IES Fund cover a percentage of the qualifying
cost of a project. The level of funding varies for different
projects, and is capped at $2 million per project.
Full Funding is granted to projects resulting in technologies
that could be employed directly by MEWR and for which
MEWR needs intellectual property rights to the final
technologies/products.
Partial Funding is granted to projects that result in
technologies and products that have industry-wide
benefits or that benefit only the company.
The Environmental Test-bedding Initiative (ETI) jointly
launched by EDB and MEWR in 2003 is another programme
to promote R&D. ETI offers companies a one-stop platform
to approach the relevant government agencies for support
in infrastructure, manpower, regulatory and financial
matters. For instance, through NEA, companies can access
public infrastructure to test-bed and eventually
commercialise new products.
Even foreign companies with registered offices in Singapore
can take advantage of these opportunities to introduce
innovative environmental technologies in Singapore and
the region. DaimlerChrysler, for example, is currently test-
bedding its fuel cell vehicles in Singapore.
Clay as backfill
Marine clay excavated from construction sites is normally discarded because it is too soft as a backfill material. With a grant
from the IES Fund, Hong Leong Asia Ltd devised a clever way to convert marine clay into liquefied soil stabiliser, by mixing it
with cements, water and additive. The resulting material could then be used for backfilling as well as for soil stabilisation. Aside
from eliminating the need to dispose of marine clay, this reduces the need to import sand and good earth for backfilling.
chapter6: p73chapter6: p73
From furnace slag to asphalt
NatSteel Ltd sought a new use for ladle furnace slag (a waste from its steel making
process). With help from the IES Fund, it found a way to use the slag to produce
road asphalt. Modified asphalt mixes containing the treated slag were used for
a 40-metre stretch of road in Jurong.
The impact on ground water quality was monitored during the road trial. The
project successfully demonstrated that ladle furnace slag is suitable for the
production of road asphalt. NatSteel not only saved on waste disposal costs but
also contributed to environmental sustainability.
ETI offers companies a one-stop platform to approachthe relevant government agencies for support in
infrastructure, manpower, regulatory and financial matters.
A fuel cell car
Working in partnership
MEWR has been actively exploring ways to work in
partnership with the private sector in the provision of high-
quality environmental infrastructure and services. By building
up a pool of players with the requisite expertise and skills,
both NEA and PUB would enjoy greater outsourcing options
and, ultimately, greater cost savings. In this respect, both
the PUB and NEA have been increasing private sector
participation in government projects through outsourcing
and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.
By building up a pool of players with the requisite expertiseand skills, both NEA and PUB would enjoy greater outsourcingoptions and, ultimately, greater cost savings.
One stop, two programmes
The Environmental Test-bedding Initiative consists of:
The Singapore Initiative in New Energy Technology
(SINERGY) – a platform for companies and government
entities to collaborate in developing alternative energy
technologies.
Innovation in Environmental Technology (EnnovaTe) –
which deals with other areas like water treatment, waste
management and air pollution control.
Public-private partnerships
Public private partnerships (PPP) are long-term partnering
relationships between the public and private sector to deliver
services. Through PPPs, the public sector will focus on acquiring
services at the most cost-effective basis, rather than directly
owning and operating assets. Singapore’s first desalination plant
is a good example of a PPP. In 2003, PUB has awarded a Design-
Build-Own-Operate (DBOO) contract to SingSpring Pte Ltd, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Hyflux, for the supply of 30 million
gallons per day of desalinated water from the Tuas Desalination
Plant. Recently, PUB awarded another DBOO contract to Keppel
Engineering for the Ulu Pandan NEWater plant. NEA is also
calling a tender for a DBOO contract for an incineration plant.
Through PPP, we can look forward to the private sector providing
a range of public services over long contract periods, and they
build up their operational experience and track records in the
process. By leveraging on the private and public sectors’
expertise, public services can be delivered more cost-efficiently.
chapter6: p75chapter6: p75
Hubbing for success
Given Singapore’s size, it is difficult for the environmental
industry to thrive if it relies only on domestic demand. To
alleviate this problem, we are positioning Singapore as an
environmental hub, allowing our companies to showcase
their products and services to a wider audience. At the
same time, our industry is being exposed to new ideas and
potential partners to tap the overseas market.
Sharing expertise – the PUB way
One way that PUB supports knowledge transfer to the private sector is through Singapore Utilities International Pte Ltd (SUI),
a wholly owned subsidiary set up for this specific purpose. SUI offers innovative and cost-effective solutions for water supply,
used water treatment and water recycling.
SUI also deploys the expertise of its Centre for Advanced Water Technology to develop and test new technologies to support
clients' operations.
We are positioning Singapore as an environmental hub,allowing our companies to showcase their products andservices to a wider audience.
Industry conferences and trade exhibitions also provide
an opportunity for local companies to showcase
themselves. Singapore has secured the rights to host several
prestigious international conferences. These include the
International Desalination Association World Congress on
Desalination and Water Reuse, the World Hydrogen
Technologies Conference, and the International Water
Association-Asia Pacific Regional Group Conference. (See
Annex for a more comprehensive list of events Singapore
will be hosting in 2005).
Going pro
Traditionally, many jobs in the environmental sector have
commanded low wages. Even when wages have been
comparable to alternative jobs, many Singaporeans have
been turned off by the unglamorous image of the industry.
Little surprise then that there is little local labour in this
sector, or that the environmental sector at present accounts
for only 0.4% of Singapore’s total workforce.
Last but not least, we are taking steps to enhance
professionalism in the industry. For example, the National
Skills Recognition System (NSRS) has been used to
establish skills standards for conservancy cleaning, street
cleaning, waste collection, hawker centre cleaning,
and pest management.
The ‘1000 for 1000’ initiative was launched in September
2003 as a response to this conundrum. The target is to
create and match 1,000 jobs paying more than S$1,000 a
month in the environmental sectors within 18 months, from
October 2003 to March 2005. As at end 2004, 840 Singapore
job seekers have been matched with jobs in the
environmental sector.
To upgrade jobs in the environmental sector, we are:
increasing mechanisation;
introducing performance-based contracts;
re-designing jobs.
Working closely with the Workforce Development Agency
and Community Development Councils, we have also
started a job-matching service. 2,000 job seekers have
received career counselling.
Refuse collection from bin centres used to be done by a
crew comprising a driver and two workmen. Today,
mechanical compactors are used to compress and store
refuse in sealed containers. The compactors are then
towed away by a prime mover operated by a driver. There
is no longer any need for refuse workmen. This has increased
productivity and resulted in a much cleaner working
environment in bin centres. A prime mover driver now
earns about S$2,000 a month, an almost 50% increment
from past salaries.
The target is to create andmatch 1,000 jobs paying morethan S$1,000 a month in theenvironmental sectors within18 months.
WHAT’S IN STORE
We realise that there is more we can do to grow our
environmental industry.
Engaging tertiary institutions
Singapore’s tertiary institutions are a hotbed of cutting
edge R&D activity, and there is tremendous potential for
them to collaborate with local and international
environmental companies. We will facilitate such interactions
to translate environmental R&D into industrial applications.
Only with a holistic package of R&D, human resource and market strategies can we sustain a healthy, vibrant environmental industry
that will spawn new technologies and help us towards the goal of environmental sustainability.
chapter6: p77chapter6: p77
“After training, I was upgraded to Driver and, as a result,
there is more mechanisation in my job now. I see this as
career advancement as I now supervise two Crews after
the upgrading. In addition, I enjoy a higher salary which
benefits my family too.”
- Mr Ali Bin Abdullah, mechanical sweeper driver
Drumming up demand
We will also continue to explore ways to stimulate demand
for environmental services and products. One way to do
this is to urge organisations to use companies that employ
NSRS-trained staff. This will promote the adoption of NSRS
standards among service providers, and therefore raise
overall professionalism in the industry.
Photo by courtesy of Ngee Ann Polytechnic