Singapore, 15 July 2016 --(ASIA TODAY)-- The CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS) 2016, a global platform to develop environmental solutions for rapidly growing cities, concluded yesterday with over S$3.04 billion worth of projects announced and S$470 million worth of business deals discussed. The event also facilitated knowledge exchanges aimed at driving sustainability through innovation, and developing a skilled industry. Key among the projects announced is the S$3 billion Integrated Waste Management Facility, co-located with the Tuas Water Reclamation Plant, which will transform the way solid waste and used water will be managed in land-scarce Singapore in order to meet Singapore’s future waste management needs.
Organised by the National Environment Agency (NEA), CESS was held from 10 to 14 July 2016 with the World Cities Summit (WCS) and Singapore International Water Week (SIWW). Integrated for a third edition, the events were enhanced by the debut of the City Solutions Singapore exhibition, a seamless global marketplace to drive end-to-end sustainable development and enable stakeholders to better meet the growing demand for integrated solutions to address sustainability challenges. The expo floors were filled with exhibitors from 57 countries and regions, including new country pavilions such as the EU Business Avenues, Turkey, Spain and Scotland, and more than 1,000 international and local companies.
The integrated events also facilitated the sharing of insights on the latest market trends and sustainable solutions through various plenary sessions, conferences and business forums. A total of more than 21,000 visitors and participants from 115 countries, including ministers, government officials, industry leaders, academics and representatives from international organisations were in attendance.
“This year, the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore placed strong emphasis on conversations about driving economic growth and competitiveness by harnessing the power of smart technology and innovation. Salient concepts such as the circular economy and the importance of embedding sustainability in every step of the value chain were also widely discussed,” Mr Dalson Chung, MD, CESS said.
“Continuous innovation is important to drive sustainable environmental solutions for future generations, particularly as the world faces the increasingly complex challenges of rapid urbanisation. The integration of smart and intuitive technologies across Singapore’s waste and cleaning management represents our focus to enhance the future of these industries,” he added.
Innovating the Future of the Environment
Themed ‘Innovative Clean Enviro-Solutions for Growing Cities’, CESS’ inaugural Innovation Pitch was aimed at accelerating commercialisation of exciting new ideas and innovations by the industry’s young talent pool.
Ten innovators were given a platform to showcase their new technologies to over 100 guests, among whom were venture capitalists. They presented their ideas under two topics – ‘Waste-as-a-Resource’ and ‘Smart Solutions for the Environment’. “Inventions such as oil-absorbing aerogels, and the repurposing of incineration ash into construction materials exemplified how innovation can drive sustainability, and help mitigate the effects of today’s environmental threats,” said Mr Chung.
Kelven Lam from Envichem Technologies, one of Singapore’s young innovators who participated at the Innovation Pitch said, “This was a fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming companies to showcase our technology and create awareness about the advancements in technologies in the environmental space. These technologies have the potential to effect real change and address challenging environmental issues and with the global increase in waste production, it is now more pressing than ever for companies and governments to adopt more efficient and effective waste management technologies.”
Facilitating cross-border partnerships
With environmental management becoming an increasingly pressing issue worldwide, cross-border partnerships at CESS 2016 were evident with companies signing deals and MOUs (Memoranda of Understanding) to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and expertise across borders.
Such deals included the formation of the Global Alliance of Cleaning Associations by the Environmental Management Association of Singapore (EMAS) with Cleaning Associations from different regions around the world. This collaboration is a significant milestone for the cleaning industry in Singapore, serving as a platform for cleaning associations to share best practices and technology innovations, as well as to advance productivity standards.
Addressing pressing issues and hot topics in the area of smart and sustainable cleaning and waste management
This year, the Clean Environment Convention (CEC) focused on the need for the industry to come together to co-create smart solutions for sustainable waste management. Themed “SMART Solutions for Growing Cities”, the two-day convention focused on the vast potential of machine-to-machine communications and the importance of shaping mind-sets to achieve a smart, skilled and sustainable industry. Featuring a plenary session and two separate tracks, the convention provided unique perspectives from all sectors of the industry, ranging from regulators to industry professionals. A key industry step-change discussion this year included the potential of connected devices and smart technologies that can transform the industry, provide city level solutions to address current challenges, and create new business opportunities.
The next edition of CleanEnviro Summit Singapore will be held from 8 to 12 July 2018 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
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About CleanEnviro Summit Singapore
CleanEnviro Summit Singapore is the global platform for government leaders, policy makers, regulators and industry captains to connect, examine and discover practical solutions to address environmental challenges for tomorrow’s cities. CleanEnviro Summit Singapore 2016 will facilitate the sharing of insights on the latest environmental market trends through a myriad of activities including the Clean Environment Convention and high level plenaries, business forums and Clean Environment Regulators Roundtable. The City Solutions Singapore Expo and Innovation Pitch will showcase the latest innovations in waste management, cleaning, environmental technology and recycling solutions.
For more information, visit www.cleanenvirosummit.sg
For media enquiries, please contact:
Azreen Noor
National Environment Agency
Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
Tel: (65) 6731 9130
Email: azreen_noor@nea.gov.sg
Ranjeet Kaur
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Associate Director
Tel: (65) 6390 3376
Email: ranjeet.kaur@hkstrategies.com
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