Yow Jia Hong is highly passionate about cars and it shows. Despite not having the relevant technical or industry experience in product formulation, he and his fellow co-founder of Artdeshine (ADS) set up the car detailing business and transformed it into a producer of experiential detailing products. Entirely self-taught, the duo’s emphasis on quality has made ADS a go-to brand for automotive care, with a strong portfolio of in-house formulated products favoured by discerning automotive aficionados across the globe.

When Robin Low, CEO of ARB Technologies (ARB), stepped through the doors of TechInnovation 2018, he was full of anticipation about meeting an innovation scout from Mitsui. It was his first time presenting his company to such a large MNC and one that could open new doors for the business.

A chance encounter with IPI in 2015 evolved into a unique opportunity for Nipo International to collaborate with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) on a groundbreaking innovation which can potentially help save money, lives and the environment. As a manufacturer of coating systems for the construction industry, Nipo is always exploring new technologies to bridge technology supply and demand.

Extending shelf life with food science and technology

Product customisation is not a new concept for many industries, but the true challenge comes with designing and developing products that serve the real needs of today’s consumers. Modern-day consumers desire greater convenience and customisation in the products they purchase. They want products that deliver an enjoyable experience that seamlessly integrates into their lifestyles and routines.

With the aim to salvage fallen trees in Singapore and transform them into sustainable products that are valuable, local woodworking and carpentry firm, Roger&Sons kickstarted the Local Tree Project in 2019.

The family-run woodworking business is committed to utilising local raw materials to create bespoke furniture and other wooden objects, but the management and handling of tropical trees in Singapore was not well-established. The existing technologies available to utilise these local trees and the machinery required to process them are still not fully optimised.

Manufacturing costs can be reduced by new intelligent systems. A first-of-its-kind software for such uses has been developed by LeanCost International and SMT Technology, which were matchmade by IPI.

The sight of Moses Tan hunched over a computer and typing away furiously was nothing new to his peers or family. As a consultant, his work involved advising manufacturing companies on workflow issues.

GIIAVA’s partnership with NUS, sparked off by IPI, aims to repurpose low-grade vegetable oil for higher value-added uses, which increases revenue yet benefits the environment.

Dr Yashodhan Bhawe stood in front of several large tanks, looking puzzled. He was expecting a straightforward scale-up for a new vegetable oil upgrading process, but things turned awry when “big masses of blobs” were produced instead.

MooVita and Sioux Technologies are exploring ways to improve communications between autonomous vehicles and passengers. Brought together by IPI, they aim to help Singapore become a smart nation.

A box-like vehicle revs its engine as an elderly passenger announces his destination to a large screen on the dashboard. He then settles into his seat and enjoys the journey as the self-driving car navigates itself on the roads.

As consumers are increasingly more mindful about what they are putting on their skin, personal care and pharmaceutical companies have been actively innovating through various technologies to meet consumers’ skincare needs and stay ahead of the game. JAH Tech, a local start-up that manages private companies’ deep tech research and its applications in our everyday environment, is no different.