With almost S$1 million dollars granted under The Enterprise Challenge (TEC), two researchers help the Government recycle industrial waste into environmentally-friendly products.
Roy Tan and his partner were research students at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). While working on projects related to waste materials, the duo decided to conduct self-funded experiments to turn trash into cash.
In less than 2 years, they succeeded. They had invented a new process, now dubbed “Crystallisation Technology”, to turn industrial waste into environmentally-friendly products that can be used as construction materials.
Proving Innovation
The two researchers needed to carry out more research and test the new technology. They turned to their professors who introduced them to the Marine Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
MPA evaluated their research proposal and provided S$80,000 of seed funding to use their technology on contaminated dredged marine clay. After 8 months of hard work, the laboratory results were conclusive – the technology works.
Going for “The Enterprise Challenge (TEC)”
The duo formed NewEarth Pte Ltd in early 2003 to test and explore the technology further. MPA suggested applying for TEC as TEC could provide funds and a test-bed for NewEarth to pilot their technology.
Fulfilling the criteria of finding a “piloting agency” and “technology innovation” proved to be the easiest. MPA agreed to be the piloting agency and the laboratory test results showed the potential of their technology.
However, NewEarth still had to:
- draw up a pilot test plan
- develop a business plan and project proposal
The Pilot Test Plan
The pilot test would involve NewEarth building a small-scale plant to receive industrial waste and recycle the waste into 1 tonne of environmentally-friendly products daily.
To make it work, NewEarth needed to rope in more partners. MPA introduced NewEarth to the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Surbana Consultants Pte Ltd (Surbana), a building and infrastructure solutions company.
Together with NTU, they formed Singapore’s first “Public-Private-New Startup” Partnership.
NewEarth put together a detailed pilot test plan where:
- NewEarth would focus on the technology and business aspects of the project.
- MPA would be the piloting agency.
- Surbana would design and test the recycled products.
- NTU would carry out laboratory tests.
- NEA would advise on environmental regulations.
The Business Plan and Project Proposal
As “engineers and technies”, NewEarth found the process of putting together a business plan and proposal challenging.
“Back then, we were a little disorganised and not very business-oriented,” recalls Mr Tan. “To convince TEC, we had to focus and think clearly to define the project goals, decide how the funds would be used and describe how our project would bring big benefits to the public.”
NewEarth also had to show that the technology made good business sense. “It must be able to sustain itself… it cannot become an additional financial burden to the Government,” adds Mr Tan. “Having the right team and support from Government agencies were important factors.”
The Sweet Smell of Waste
NewEarth took 3 months to get the TEC application together and made 2 presentations to the TEC approval panel. In November 2003, they secured $978,600 in funding from TEC.
“Presenting to the TEC board, which was made up of distinguished professionals from the public and private sector, was a great learning experience,” recalls Mr Tan.
Work began immediately. In December 2004, the pilot recycling plant started operations and a variety of recycled products such as road pavers, bricks and aggregates were produced from industrial wastes sent to the plant. Results were “better than expected”, paving the way ahead for NewEarth.
2 years on, NewEarth has undoubtedly shown that they could turn their innovation into a sustainable business. “We are now in the process of designing and building a commercial plant,” said Mr Tan.
For Mr Tan and his partner, TEC made a big difference. It gave a start-up the opportunity to work with Government agencies, opened doors to potential partners and provided funds to pilot test their technology.
How NewEarth secured the TEC grant
- Produced laboratory test results to show that their technology innovation works
- Roped in Government agencies, a local university and a commercial party to pilot test their technology.
- Worked hard on a business plan that showed that the technology had commercial potential and could be self-sustained after the pilot.
|
How TEC helped
- Provided a test-bed for NewEarth to prove the worth of their technology.
- Funded the pilot test of their technology which included building a small-scale plant and hiring people to run it.
- Opened doors to Government agencies, potential partners and potential customers.
|
