New Waste To Energy Research Facility To Accelerate Singapore’s Sustainability Ambitions

Date: 17 July 2017
Company Names: JFE Engineering Corporation, National Environment Agency (NEA) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore)

JFE Engineering Corporation (JFE) hosted a Site Inauguration Ceremony marking the commencement of site activities for the upcoming SGD40 million Waste to Energy (WtE) Research Facility in Tuas. This project was announced at the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS) 2016, during which a collaboration agreement was signed between the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore). The facility will employ JFE’s High-Temperature Slagging Gasification technology and is expected to be completed by December 2018.

Singapore, with its limited land space, has been actively promoting efforts to reduce the volume of waste and residues, which are disposed of at Semakau Landfill. JFE’s High-Temperature Slagging Gasification technology has the ability to treat waste and reduce its volume efficiently, converting the incombustibles contained in the waste into high-quality slag and metal granulates. The slag can be used as secondary material for construction purposes, while the metal granulates can be recycled.

Representatives from NEA, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and NTU Singapore were in attendance to witness this event, which marks the start of civil works and construction of a facility that, upon completion, will serve as a backbone for the demonstration and test-bedding of WtE related research activities via different plug-and-play features, which have been designed throughout the plant’s system.

With the support from EDB and NTU, JFE is also planning to establish an Innovation Centre for Environmental Technology, to conduct joint research in the area of Development of Enhanced Utilisation Methodologies for Slagging Gasification. Leveraging Singapore as a test bed for JFE’s Slagging Gasification, JFE hopes to further its technology’s capabilities to utilise renewable resources as auxiliary fuels, achieve larger volume reduction capabilities through the recycling of slag and metal as useful secondary material, as well as the treatment of diverse waste streams.

Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer of NEA said, “I would like to congratulate JFE and NTU for reaching this key milestone of the construction of the WtE Research Facility. When completed, the facility will be a platform where research institutes, academia and industry can co-develop more effective and sustainable waste management solutions, through research, development, demonstration and test-bedding. I would also like to commend JFE’s plans to establish an Innovation Centre for Environmental Technology, which will add to Singapore’s efforts in this area.”

Goh Chee Kiong, Executive Director, Cleantech, EDB said, “We are pleased that JFE Engineering, a leading environmental engineering firm from Japan, will be strengthening its presence in Singapore through the establishment of the Innovation Centre for Environmental Technology and building of the WtE Research Facility. The Innovation Centre’s focus on developing efficient waste treatment technologies will contribute to the environmental sustainability needs of Singapore and the region. These investments will also support Singapore’s drive to develop urban solutions as a key growth area”.

Professor Ng Wun Jern, Executive Director of NTU’s Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, said: “The Innovation Centre for Environmental Technology to be set up by JFE with NTU will enable R&D and manpower training activities in the area of slagging gasification. These activities will be made possible by the plug & play features embedded in the WtE Research Facility (operational by end-2018).

By combining NTU’s research expertise in the areas of waste management and environmental technologies with the industry experience of JFE, a leading player in the WtE industry, the joint centre will chart exciting new solutions to meet Singapore’s waste management needs. Our goal is not only to ‘close the waste loop’ in Singapore, but to also enhance our industry’s reach into the regional waste management market.”

Eiichi Shibuya, Senior Managing Director, Environmental Solutions Sector, of JFE Engineering Corporation, said: “We believe that the construction of this WtE Research Facility in Singapore is a unique opportunity to showcase our High-Temperature Slagging Gasification system globally. We are extremely honoured to have received a vote of confidence from NEA and NTU to build Singapore’s first-ever WtE facility based on our Slagging Gasification technology.

JFE is committed to help promote the sustainable development of Singapore and societies worldwide. We are very proud to have found in NTU the best local partner for the future set-up of an Innovation Centre for Environmental Technology. With the support from EDB, we look forward to materialise the establishment of this Innovation Centre and, together with NTU, help Singapore achieve its long-term waste management objectives.”

As a leading engineering firm in the field of environmental solutions, JFE constantly seeks to contribute towards the creation of recycling-oriented societies worldwide. JFE believes Singapore is an ideal platform with the necessary technical capabilities and human capital to customise its technology for the local and Southeast Asian markets. Together with NTU, and backed by its unparalleled experience and expertise, JFE aims to eventually scale up and showcase its technology on the global stage.