In the construction industry, coatings are widely used for decorative and functional purposes. Examples of functional applications include anti-corrosion, water resistance and heat reflection. Nipo International Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based coatings specialist manufacturer, was keen to expand its capabilities. It was also looking into more environmentally sustainable solutions combined with enhanced performance due to changing market demands.

Dysphagia refers to swallowing difficulty. While it can affect anyone, it is more common in the elderly and patients who have had a stroke. Singapore nutrition SME, Health Food Matters (HFM), was keen to partner a local technology partner to develop texture-modified meals in local flavours so as to meet the growing market demand.

Collaboration can bring about solutions that cannot be produced in-house alone. The real challenge often lies in finding the right partner with the right competencies. Mase International Marketing Services, a leading distributor of cosmetics and toiletries in Asia, had previously found a partner via IPI’s network to develop a novel dye ingredient for a new range of hair dye products that limits hair damage and retains colour for a longer period.

Established in 1976, Mase International Marketing Services started off as a distributor of hair colour products. Over the years, the company has grown to become a leading distributor of cosmetics and toiletries products in Asia. Mase places great emphasis on innovation in Research & Development (R&D) in its hair products and is the only Singapore SME in this field with an R&D facility focusing primarily on hair dyes and hair growth formulations.

HVS Engineering Pte Ltd is a local enterprise that provides automated maintenance solutions for heat exchanger systems in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) industries. The current patented HVS Automatic Brush Ball Cleaning System is a self-contained cleaning system which utilises design-specific resilient brush balls circulating within part of the heat exchange system to clean fouling at the initial stage of formation.

Kim Eng Seng Machinery Pte Ltd is a local SME that designs, manufactures, repairs, leases and sells ISO container transport trailers.  As part of their drive towards improving productivity, the management of the company decided to explore the use of technology to improve their workflow and raise its productivity. 

VolitionRx Ltd is a Singapore-registered life sciences company that develops novel, early diagnostic tests for cancer and other conditions. Its patented technology is based on the identification and quantification of increased presence of specific nucleosomes that are released into the bloodstream or other bodily fluids, as a result of cell death associated with certain diseases including cancer.

Wangi Industrial is one of the pioneers and value providers of high-quality surface finishing, technical glass, precision optics and optical thin-film coating solutions.

A firm believer of the need to constantly innovate, Mr Chew Ker Yee, Vice-President of Wangi, always seeks to collaborate with customers and machines suppliers to develop new products. However, working with these groups sometimes do not yield the desired outcomes.

With Singapore’s population, of those 65 years and above, projected to triple from 8% in 2000 to 24% in 2030, developing solutions that enhance the independence and improve the quality of life for the elderly is crucial. InnoPal is a Singapore-based startup company specialising in developing innovative and cost effective healthcare and wellness products and services.