EMBARGOED UNTIL 2 DECEMBER 2011
Media Release
Gas conversion for clean fuels and value-added chemicals
A*STAR, IHI Corporation signed collaboration agreement
1. Singapore, 2 December 2011- The Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES), a research institute of The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and IHI Corporation (IHI) start their collaboration in areas of environmental and energy related technologies. A research collaboration agreement was signed by Dr. Keith Carpenter, Executive Director of ICES and Mr. Yoshio Kusaba, Associate Director & Deputy General Manager of IHI Corporate Research & Development.
2. With rising concerns about the supply and increasing cost of fossil resources and uncertainties in security of energy supplies, an efficient utilisation of unconventional fossil fuels and renewable resources such as biomass is required. In this collaborative research project, ICES and IHI will develop a catalytic process to convert the gas derived from these resources to value-added products such as biofuels and value added chemicals to be used as feedstock. Through the collaborative efforts, both organisations will pursue the ideas and verify the technology for commercial applications.
3. Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman, A*STAR commented, "This collaboration adds to the suite of initiatives offered by A*STAR to spearhead innovations in sustainable energy research. IHI's decision to partner with ICES is a strong endorsement of our R&D capabilities and talents. We are confident that this partnership will spur breakthrough discoveries and valuable solutions."
4. Dr Keith Carpenter commented, "This project will bring added insight into gas conversion processes to complement our array of chemical approaches. It is a great opportunity to partner with IHI Corporation who has a long and successful history of bringing new inventions to the market. The collaboration combines ICES and IHI strengths in a new partnership in research and development. We will continue to leverage our unique combination of capabilities to pursue high-impact collaborations with industry."
5. Mr. Kazuaki Kama, President of IHI Corporation, said, "We are pleased to start our partnership with one of the world-class scientific research organizations such as A*STAR. We believe that this collaboration will bring a vast potential to us in the field of the energy and environment related business. IHI has started the business collaboration in Singapore since 1963 in the field of shipbuilding. We will explore new opportunity for our research and development with A*STAR and we are very confident that our efforts will create the new mutual benefit."
6. Mr. Yoshio Kusaba commented, "We are truly happy to start a collaborative research programme with ICES, a leading research institute in the chemical engineering field. We IHI have much experience in catalytic research and application for the denitrification and desulfurization process. I am confident that this collaboration with ICES will deliver new insight into the catalytic technology which will propel a new era of growth in the areas of developing cutting-edge approaches for green energy and fuels."
For media enquiries please contact:
Ms. Caroline Chia
Science and Engineering Institutes
for Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences
Tel: +65 6796 3894
Fax: +65 6873 4805
Email: chialic@scei.a-star.edu.sg
Mr. Yoshihisa YAMANOUCHI
IHI Corporation Singapore branch
Tel: +65 6515 6609
Fax: +65 6438 8006
Email: yoshihisa_yamaouchi@ihi.co.jp
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, and with other local and international partners.
For more information about A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.
About the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES)
Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES) is a member of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Established in 2002, its mission is to carry out world class scientific research, to develop novel technology and to nurture creative scientists and engineers to support economic growth in Singapore and to make a positive difference to society. The research area covers chemistry and chemical engineering science, combined with advanced analytical characterisation and measurement to develop state of the art technology for the petrochemical, general chemical, fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries. For more information, visit www.ices.a-star.edu.sg
About IHI Corporationand Group
IHI (Headquarter in Tokyo Japan) is an internationally renowned company in the 5 fields of "Energy and Resources", "Shipbuilding, Social Infrastructure and Security", "Industrial Machinery and Systems", "Rotating Equipment and Mass Production Machinery" and "Aero Engine and Space Development" with an annual revenue of US$13 billion and more than 24,000 employees worldwide.
IHI and Singapore has a long historical relationship since 1963, establishing Jurong Shipyard Ltd (JSPL). Since then, IHI Group have grown and expanded in the businesses and have more than 30 subsidiaries in the South East Asia Region to date.
For more information, visit http://www.ihi.co.jp/en/index.html
