Singapore is strengthening its position as a hub for next-generation, smart manufacturing through a new collaboration between the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and a global technology provider. Formalised via a Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology, Dr Tan See Leng, the partnership seeks to drive digital transformation, foster innovation and support sustainable manufacturing practices across Singapore and the broader ASEAN region. (opengovasia.com)
The collaboration focuses on supporting companies to become more agile, resilient and competitive by giving them faster access to industrial artificial intelligence, automation technologies and advanced manufacturing systems that meet international sustainability and performance standards.
One of the key initiatives under this partnership is the development of the Smart and Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (SSAM) Catalyst, an innovation sandbox hosted at A*STAR’s Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC).
The SSAM Catalyst provides a platform for testing, co-developing and demonstrating advanced industrial solutions in a real-world environment. It offers an integrated portfolio of digital tools that span the entire manufacturing lifecycle, from initial design and engineering to production and operations. The goal is to help companies accelerate innovation cycles, increase operational efficiency and future-proof their production systems.
Companies can explore and experiment with capabilities such as smart manufacturing technologies, intelligent sustainability analytics, precision imaging, autonomous systems and next-generation process controls. These technologies are particularly relevant to sectors such as aerospace, fast-moving consumer goods, biomedical manufacturing and semiconductor equipment production, where complex systems and evolving market demands require agile and sophisticated solutions.
The SSAM Catalyst’s approach is grounded in three key capability areas. First, it focuses on advanced simulation and validation technologies that reduce development timelines, cut down on costly physical prototyping and ensure consistent product quality.
Second, it features industrial AI-driven tools that improve data-informed decision-making, enhance operational efficiency and ensure resilient integration of information and operational technologies.
Third, it supports the development of fully autonomous manufacturing environments, so-called “lights-out” factories, that optimise operations with minimal human intervention, boosting consistency and reducing risk.
The initiative also aims to equip the manufacturing workforce with the necessary skills to operate and innovate within increasingly digitalised production environments. By working with solution integrators and end-users, A*STAR will facilitate capability development and knowledge transfer, ensuring that companies not only adopt new technologies but are also empowered to use them effectively. The SSAM Catalyst is envisioned as a hub where research, talent and industry intersect to drive long-term transformation.
These initiatives will strengthen regional industry, promote sustainability and enhance Singapore’s economic competitiveness, while fostering inclusive growth, supporting workforce development, and empowering local enterprises to scale globally.
The collaboration also advances sustainability goals through projects led by A*STAR’s Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE²). These efforts examine how digital tools and industrial automation can help decarbonise operations in energy-intensive sectors.
A major focus is on digital twin technology, which allows engineers to simulate and optimise chemical processes and design integrated production systems. This can significantly reduce complexity in plant construction, shorten project timelines and lower environmental impact.
By combining public sector research expertise with industrial application, the collaboration demonstrates Singapore’s commitment to nurturing innovation that is both economically and environmentally sustainable. It also reinforces Singapore’s role as a launchpad for scalable, future-ready manufacturing solutions that can benefit the wider ASEAN region.
According to Professor Lim Keng Hui, Assistant Chief Executive of the Science and Engineering Research Council at ASTAR, this initiative represents the agency’s commitment to translational research. By aligning frontier science with the needs of industry, ASTAR aims to accelerate digital transformation, support decarbonisation and build a competitive regional ecosystem for advanced manufacturing.
