Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences
The chemical industry has been a major part of the Singapore economy for many years, based on a strong foundation as a major oil refining centre with a long history, and strategically placed at the heart of the Asia - Pacific region. In recent years the pharmaceuticals industry has also seen major growth, so that chemistry and chemical engineering science now make a very significant contribution to Singapore's economy.
In order to strengthen this position and to foster future development to grow from dependence solely on manufacturing to secure a more knowledge dependant, high tech research and development based business environment, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and Economic Development Board (EDB) looked at how to bolster the local science and technology base. As a result, the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES) came into being, to provide highly trained R&D manpower, to establish a strong science base and to develop technology and infrastructure to support future growth.
Starting from a small centre in the National University of Singapore (NUS), ICES was established as an autonomous national research institute under A*STAR on October 1st 2002. Since that time, we have grown rapidly. We have established world leading laboratories, pilot facilities, and the necessary infrastructure to carry out a world class research programme in chemistry and chemical engineering sciences. We have the capability to cover the range of activities from exploratory research to process development, optimisation and problem solving. We can go from very small lab scale right to kilo and pilot scale in one organisation, with all of the necessary skills directly at hand and integrated into a project oriented environment.
FORMULATED PRODUCTS
ICES possesses expertise across the formulated product value chain, from ingredients to final product formulation. This technical knowledge is complemented with market knowledge that incorporates the translation of consumer needs to technology solutions. The Formulated Products research division is made up of four teams:
The Specialty Ingredients team focuses on developing next generation additives that can be targeted, on demand, personalised and/or multifunctional.
The Encapsulation team focuses on developing sustainable particle and encapsulation technologies.
The Targeted Delivery team focuses on developing targeted delivery technologies using a variety of techniques.
The Formulation Science team has experience in developing solid and liquid formulations for different end applications. This is complemented by knowledge of technical and sensorial performance analysis.
FUNCTIONAL MOLECULES AND POLYMERS
ICES possesses expertise on synthetic methods for small molecules, polymers and polymer particles utilising organic chemistry, biochemistry, metabolic engineering and heterogeneous polymerisation techniques. Sustainability, cost effectiveness and scalability are drivers towards applications in specialty chemicals, nutrition, coatings and oil field chemicals. The Functional Molecules & Polymers division is structured into six teams across the areas of molecules, polymers, and polymer particles:
The emphasis of the Sustainable Chemistry team is on sustainability, waste reduction and atom-efficient chemistry through the synthesis of functional molecules and new chemical method development.
The Metabolic Engineering team is developing and applying synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to address challenges in advanced biomanufacturing, with a focus on sustainable manufacturing, nutrition and healthcare.
The Integrated Bio & Organic Chemistry team draws from organic chemistry and biochemistry to efficiently access functional molecules for pharmaceutical or specialty chemicals applications.
The Applied Synthesis of Molecules & Polymers team focuses on sustainable and cost-effective methods of synthesis of small molecules and polymers with emphasis on the molecular synthetic aspects.
The Oil Field Chemistry team focuses on enhanced oil recovery and flow assurance, developing small molecule, polymer and particle solutions.
The Polymer Technology & Reaction Engineering team focuses on polymer particle synthesis, polymers in complex fluids and polymer reaction engineering. The applications are in coatings and adhesives, personal care and consumer care products.
PROCESS & CATALYSIS RESEARCH
ICES possesses expertise on chemical transformations with emphasis on two main pillars: process innovation and the discovery and development of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, and biocatalysts. The Process & Catalysis Research division is made up of six teams which cover the spectrum of design and synthesis, development and scale-up, and process:
The Material Synthesis team focuses on designing and synthesising next-generation heterogeneous catalysts for specialty chemicals and pharma.
The Catalyst Characterisation team focuses on molecular level understanding of heterogeneous catalysts under working conditions to design improved and novel catalysts.
The Catalyst Testing focuses on large-scale testing under relevant industrial conditions and catalyst scaling-up towards commercialisation.
The Homogeneous Catalysis team focuses on designing and developing ligands and homogeneous catalysts for specialty chemicals and pharma.
The Process R&D focuses on sustainable and cost-effective process design, innovation and scale-up for specialty chemicals and pharma.
The Biocatalysis & Fermentation team focuses on developing novel biocatalysts and associated sustainable and cost-effective bio-processes, with emphasis on specialty chemicals and pharma.
SCIENTIFIC INFRASTRUCTURE & ANALYTICS
Building on ICES’ talented pool of support staff, the Scientific Infrastructure & Analytics division combines the expertise of the central lab and characterisation facilities with our scientific leadership in the area of chemometrics, modelling and simulation, and physical chemistry to provide a data-rich environment that will drive new understanding and insight into our research activities. The Scientific Infrastructure & Analytics division comprises five teams:
The Research & Technical Support team focuses on providing a high standard of technical and laboratory support to researchers within the divisions and laboratories throughout ICES.
The Analytics & Characterisation team provides analytical support and characterisation services to all research projects. Through increased scientific leadership, new standards of excellence will be established in support of ICES’ core competences.
The Chemometrics & Physical Chemistry team brings together and builds on ICES’ growing capabilities in the physical chemistry of complex fluids, chemometrics, and modelling and simulation to provide unparalleled fundamental scientific insights into ICES and Singapore’s R&D landscape.
The Safety & Sustainability team will provide specialist expertise in safety and sustainability for a range of activities in the institute, as well as continued research into new standards and metrics.
The Digital Strategy & Automation team will drive the digitalisation of ICES’ research activities and future laboratory initiatives.
Notice: Please contact international@erc-assoc.org if you represent this Research Institution and have identified any required additions or modifications to the above information.