Swiss Chemical Engineering Giant Sulzer Establishes Multi-Million Dollar Lab in Singapore for Sustainable Innovations

Amidst reports of layoffs and business closures across multiple sectors globally and in Singapore, here is a piece of good news locally. Sulzer, a renowned Swiss fluid and chemical engineering corporation with a 190-year legacy, has inaugurated its Innovation Technology Hub (InTecH) in Singapore, marking its first research and development (R&D) facility in Asia.

With a significant investment exceeding S$10 million, this new facility signifies Sulzer’s commitment to advancing chemical engineering processes for sustainability. Sulzer has an established 39-year history in Singapore, supplying engineering components, polymer production equipment and distillation equipment for industries like oil & gas and power generation. With this latest expansion in Singapore, Sulzer aims to grow its local team of 150 by 20 to 30 staff over the next three years.

The newly opened InTecH lab, located within Singapore’s Jurong Innovation District, spearheads the development of advanced chemical engineering processes aimed at precision, efficiency, and reduced energy consumption. Notably, these processes encompass the recycling and production of plastics, electric vehicle (EV) batteries, lubricant oils, and bio-based goods like Polylactic Acid (PLA), derived from renewable resources.

One of the facility’s highlights is a 9-storey fractional distillation tower, the tallest of its kind in Asia, enhancing Singapore’s position as a regional hub for green manufacturing under the SG Green Plan. Sulzer’s expansion is expected to contribute significantly to Singapore’s ambitions of becoming a leading center for sustainable technology development by 2030.

The InTecH facility is equipped with cutting-edge R&D equipment and infrastructure, including proprietary technologies for thermal separation of chemical components. This setup enables Sulzer to offer comprehensive services, ranging from chemical analysis to feasibility studies, consultancy, and the construction of processing plants, particularly catering to industries such as pharmaceuticals and biofuels.

“Our state-of-the-art R&D facility provides unparalleled access to cutting-edge technologies, empowering manufacturers and processors to innovate and produce eco-efficient, high-quality products.” Shared Dr. Thoma.