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 (TiO2) 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 TiO2 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 TiO2 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 eco-friendly 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 TiO2 “self cleaning” coating is expected to become one of PJI Contract’s top 10 revenue generators.
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 TiO2 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 SIMTech-developed 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 TiO2 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.
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Annex A: Photocatalytic Self Cleaning Technology Fact Sheet
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(at)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(at)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(at)exploit-tech.com
Yin Thu Aung (Ms)
Assistant IT Manager
PJI Contract Pte Ltd
DID: (65) 6766 0900
Email: yin(at)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 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
Please see attached file for Annex A: Photocatalytic Self Cleaning Technology Fact Sheet
Self-cleaning coating product
