PRESS RELEASE - Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology

Media Release
Singapore, 8 April 2011
Total: 5 pages
Embargoed 8 April 2011 till 12pm
A*STAR OFFERS PJI CONTRACT
INNOVATIVE, ECO-FRIENDLY NANO-COATING TECHNOLOGY
Singapore, 8 April 2011 – The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
and PJI Contract Pte Ltd announced today the opening of a production facility to
manufacture Titanium Dioxide (TiO 2 ) solution, an eco-friendly nano-coating materials,
by Dr Raj Thampuran, Executive Director, Science and Engineering Research Council,
A*STAR, in Woodlands. PJI Contract, a leading specialist contractor for industrial
polymeric floors, protective coatings, and linings, has licensed from A*STAR the
patented TiO 2 manufacturing process developed by the Singapore Institute of
Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), a research institute of A*STAR.
The eco-friendly, self-cleaning property of the TiO 2 coating technology has been
recognised under the category of “green innovation and features” by the Building and
Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark Scheme. The “self-cleaning” properties are
derived from the oxidative and hydrophilic nature of the coating. When exposed to the
sun the oxidative property will decompose organic substances like microbes, whilst the
hydrophilic nature of the coating would naturally allow accumulated water to “wash
away” dust and dirt particles. Essentially, harmful bacteria would be removed, odour
eliminated, leaving coated surfaces, like residential and commercial buildings, cleaner
and fresher, with minimal human intervention. The resultant effects would be an ecofriendly
solution that saves on water and maintenance bill, as the frequency of physical
cleaning would be reduced, but still maintaining the freshness of paint surface!
PJI Contract is one of Singapore’s first industry adopters of this technology, and has
applied the self-cleaning coating on the building facades of its commercial customers
such as a pharmaceutical giant in Singapore. The tremendous and untapped potential
for this eco-friendly technology drives PJI Contract to invest in a manufacturing facility.
In addition to using the technology for self-cleaning coating for buildings, PJI Contract is
also broadening its applications for the mass market by making available the coating in
a spray can to target the consumer market. By having its own in-house production
facility, PJI Contract will be able to better manage the product’s cost and quality. The
eco-friendly, photo-catalytic TiO 2 “self cleaning” coating is expected to become one of
PJI Contract’s top 10 revenue generators.
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Speaking at the opening ceremony for the new plant, PJI Contract’s Managing Director,
Mr Philip Loh said, "SMEs should embrace technology for growth and to differentiate
themselves from the competition. R&D plays a significant role in the quest for
technology but it is also a resource intensive process. As such, SMEs should collaborate
with organisations like A*STAR, in the R&D process and focus their limited resources on
commercialisation."
In addition to licensing the TiO 2 manufacturing process, PJI Contract has had 2
researchers seconded from SIMTech to help build-up its in-house R&D capabilities. PJI
Contract is also a member of SIMTech’s Nanotechnology in Manufacturing Initiative
(NiMI), an industry consortium focused on assisting industry to develop capabilities,
enhance manufacturing competitiveness, and share knowledge and best practices in
exploiting nanotechnology for manufacturing.
Dr Lim Ser Yong, Executive Director of SIMTech said, “In adopting the SIMTechdeveloped
technologies, SMEs such as PJI Contract are able to move up the value chain
with innovative processes, products, and services, or shorten the development cycle
time to add to its array of existing product range, creating new revenue stream and
avenues for growth. Through the use of technology and R&D, our local enterprises can
become key players in the global marketplace.”
Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd (ETPL), the commercialisation arm of A*STAR, played a
pivotal role in licensing the TiO 2 technology to PJI Contract. Besides closing the license,
it also facilitated the follow-on Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-Up)
between PJI Contract and SIMTech to build PJI Contract’s R&D capability to further
develop new products based on the licensed technology.
Mr Philip Lim, Chief Executive Officer of Exploit Technologies, applauds PJI Contract for
their foresight and determination to leverage on technology and innovation to enhance
their competitive edge. He goes on to say, “PJI Contract has used technology as a
strategic lever to jump-start their foray into nano-coatings, reducing their upfront risk
of technology development. It is even more significant that PJI Contract continues to
further develop new applications from the licensed technology to further grow their
market.” Mr Lim encourages SMEs to use technology as an enabler to increase market
opportunities and growth. SMEs could engage A*STAR to collaborate in R&D, or to
license technology to meet their needs.
Enc:
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Annex A: Photocatalytic Self Cleaning Technology Fact Sheet
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For industry players interested in commercialisation opportunities, please contact:
Joanne Geraldine Mosbergen (Ms)
Assistant Vice President, Engineering and Manufacturing
Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd (A member of A*STAR)
DID: (65) 6478 8431
Email: Joanne_Mosbergen@exploit-tech.com
For media enquiries, please contact:
Lee Swee Heng (Ms)
Corporate Communications
Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech)
DID: (65) 6793 8368
Email: leesh@scei.a-star.edu.sg
Elin Tan (Ms)
Assistant Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications
Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd (A member of A*STAR)
DID: (65) 6478 8530
Email: elin@exploit-tech.com
Yin Thu Aung (Ms)
Assistant IT Manager
PJI Contract Pte Ltd
DID: (65) 6766 0900
Email: yin@pjicon.com.sg
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for
fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and
innovation-driven Singapore. A*STAR oversees 14 biomedical sciences and physical
sciences and engineering research institutes, and six consortia & centres, located in
Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their immediate vicinity.
A*STAR supports Singapore's key economic clusters by providing intellectual, human
and industrial capital to its partners in industry. It also supports extramural research in
the universities, hospitals, research centres, and with other local and international
partners.
For more information about A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg
About Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd
Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd (ETPL) is the strategic marketing and commercialisation
arm of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Its mission is to
support A*STAR in transforming the economy through commercialising R&D. Exploit
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Technologies enhances the research output of A*STAR scientists by translating their
inventions into marketable products or processes.
Through licensing deals and spin-offs with industry partners, Exploit Technologies is a
key driver of technology transfer in Singapore. It actively engages industry leaders and
players to commercialise A*STAR's technologies and capabilities, bridging the gap from
Mind to Market. Exploit Technologies’ charter is to identify, protect and exploit
promising intellectual property (IP) created by A*STAR’s research institutes.
For more information, please visit www.exploit-tech.com
About Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech)
The Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) is a research institute
of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). SIMTech develops high
value manufacturing technology and human capital to contribute to the
competitiveness of the Singapore industry. It collaborates with multinational and local
companies in the electronics, semiconductor, precision engineering, medical
technology, aerospace, automotive, marine, logistics and other sectors.
For more information, please visit www.SIMTech.a-star.edu.sg
About PJI Contract Pte Ltd
Established in 1990, PJI Contract Pte Ltd (PJI) is one of the pioneers in the Singapore
industrial flooring, waterproofing and surface protection business. Strong leadership
and an aspiration to become the best in the industry have enabled PJI to flourish into a
trusted company known for its quality workmanship and services. With 20 years of
experience in the construction industry, PJI has served clients across various Asian
regions, such as China, Malaysia and Indonesia. PJI uses innovative application of
information technology, progressive project planning and strategic management to
provide premier products and services that meets even the most stringent of quality
and safety standards required of pharmaceutical, electronics, semi-conductor and
oil/gas/petrochemical industries. As a credible and trustworthy company, PJI boasts a
client base of mainly multi-national companies (MNCs) across diverse areas of
industries.
For more information, please visit www.pjicon.com.sg
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Annex A: Photocatalytic Self Cleaning Technology Fact Sheet
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