A*STAR and MojiaBio plan to develop Singapore biomanufacturing platform

By integrating advanced synthetic biology and bioprocessing innovations, the SBTP aims to position Singapore as a global leader in sustainable bio-manufacturing, accelerating the transition to a circular bio-economy and net-zero future.

Unlike other existing bio-based molecules in the market, the SBTP aims to pioneer the production of a range of high-value bio-based molecules that are cost-competitive and serve the needs of various industries. This is made possible due to the use of cost-effective sources like methanol and ethylene glycol, which enables the platform to produce scalable, sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical processes. This includes the production of 1,3-propanediol (PDO), a key ingredient for a broad array of industries such as skincare products, coatings, and biodegradable plastics.

Building Singapore’s capabilities in green bio-manufacturing

The global market for green chemicals is projected to reach US$200 billion (around SG$270 billion) by 2030, driven by increasing demand for sustainable alternatives to their fossil-based counterparts. This collaboration will help Singapore build up our synthetic biology capabilities, which will help position us to capture a share of this growing market and contribute to the development of new economic opportunities in the green economy.

At the heart of the SBTP is MojiaBio’s proprietary Cn+Bio™ pathway and OrthBio^® bioconversion process, designed to convert low-cost, renewable sources into bio-based molecules. This will be developed in close collaboration with A*STAR Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (A*STAR SIFBI) – which will provide expertise on enzyme engineering – to ensure a faster, more reliable, and higher-yield conversion.

“The SBTP will not only produce bio-based molecules but also support downstream application research to synthesise high-value sustainable products for different industries,” said Dr Ramon Gonzalez, MojiaBio CSO. “Through our partnership with A*STAR, we will be able to accelerate the commercialisation of green PDO to meet the growing demands and needs of the market.”

The SBTP leverages advanced synthetic biology and integrates the National University of Singapore (NUS)’ computational modelling expertise to engineer enzymes and microbial strains, optimising them as biocatalysts.

Unlike conventional fermentation methods, the platform operates independently of its host cell metabolism, which significantly enhances energy efficiency, scalability, and sustainability while reducing production costs.

Professor Tan Sze Wee, Assistant Chief Executive from A*STAR Biomedical Research Council, commented: “The SBTP marks a significant step forward in sustainable bio-manufacturing for Singapore, demonstrating how synthetic biology can unlock cost-effective productions of scalable value-added ingredient alternatives. By leveraging synthetic biology and enzyme engineering capabilities at A*STAR SIFBI and A*STAR Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (A*STAR ISCE) and forming strategic private-public partnerships, we are laying the foundation for further advancements in sustainable bio-manufacturing across multiple industries. This collaboration will not only accelerate Singapore’s bio-economy growth but also underscore our commitment to advancing in value-added ingredient innovation and green technologies."

Lim Wey-Len, Executive Vice President, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), added: “Singapore has been developing our capabilities in industrial biotechnology as part of a push for sustainable manufacturing. The SBTP demonstrates how leading companies can partner Singapore’s research ecosystem to innovate and commercialise novel products that improve the quality of life, while meeting sustainability commitments. We welcome more like-minded companies to create solutions through Singapore that can further grow Asia’s bio-economy sector.”

Advancing green economy: building a sustainable future together

The SBTP aligns with the Singapore Green Plan 2030 targets and global sustainability goals, such as reducing carbon emissions and promoting a circular economy. Compared to conventional methods, bio-based molecules produced through this platform offer significant environmental benefits over conventional processes, including:

• Reduced energy use: renewable sources (e.g. methanol and ethylene glycol) require less energy to process.
• Lower carbon footprint: bio-based production typically emits significantly less carbon dioxide than conventional chemical processes by around 60%.
• Fewer pollutants: bio-based methods produce fewer harmful emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and sulfur oxides (SO_x).

“This collaboration exemplifies our vision to create impactful, sustainable solutions for the future,” said Dr Gonzalez. “MojiaBio is also making strides to establish our operational headquarters and a dedicated research laboratory in Singapore to accelerate commercialisation of other green chemicals to contribute to Singapore’s bio-economy and the global transition toward sustainability.”

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/06032025/astar-and-mojiabio-plan-to-develop-singapore-biomanufacturing-platform/