A*Star and KITECH sign MoU to research renewable chemicals

A*STAR's Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), that will see them carry out research into sustainable chemicals, specifically biomass-based chemicals.

The collaboration will see researchers from both institutes carry out academic meetings and R&D projects, and build on the expertise in chemical and bio-catalysis areas, for the development of green and bio-based chemicals and polymers.

KITECH explores innovative production of C3-C6 renewable functional small molecules based on noble conversion pathways and green processing. Research collaboration areas include joint R&D on bio-based platform chemicals, bio-processing, pre-treatment of biomass and other topics related to biomass-to-chemicals.

'This partnership will enable us to develop new processes with the right skills to grow this industry with economic and societal outcomes for Korea and Singapore,' says Keith Carpenter, executive director, ICES.

The global chemical industry is projected to grow 3 to 6% per year up to 2025, with the bio-based chemicals market share rising from 2% in 2005 to 22% by 2025.