MOU signed for sustainable materials sourced from local waste to build HQ

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between JTC Corporation and Samwoh Corporation on 25 March 2019 will witness recycled materials processed from construction and industrial waste—such as sedimentary rocks excavated from Jurong Rock Caverns—being used to build Samwoh’s new four-storey headquarters near Kranji Reservoir. The new HQ is slated to be completed by 2020.

Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Chee Hong Tat, who witnessed the signing of the MoU, told The Straits Times he is confident Singapore can play a key role in sustainable technology. The government will continue to provide opportunities for companies to test-bed new concepts, he said, adding that eco-friendly projects need to be commercially sustainable as well.

“With the right methods, using recycled materials and adopting eco-friendly measures need not incur higher costs. Samwoh’s commitment to sustainable construction in its very own building is a great example that it can be done,” he added.

This further emphasised the government’s determination to study how to transform various materials into construction materials, as it echoes with the Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli’s speech in parliament on 7 March 2019.

As reported, the minister said in his Committee of Supply speech, the government is studying to create NEWSand: how to turn incineration ash into construction material instead of landfilling it. He said the National Environment Agency (NEA), which is leading the effort, has developed draft standards for the use of treated ash, such as for building roads. — Construction+ Online