Esther Fung, Today Online 1 May 09;
As a curry puff maker, Old Chang Kee naturally uses a lot of cooking oil. But instead of throwing out the used fuel, the Singapore-listed company has been getting the oil recycled to help power its mobile stalls.
The firm is among food industry players with a headstart in a Government pilot programme aimed at encouraging manufacturers to cut down waste and emissions.
Launched yesterday, the Sustainable Manufacturing Programme is jointly organised by the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa) and SPRING Singapore. About 10 firms have signed up so far.
SPRING will help to defray up to 70 per cent of the costs of such investments.
“There may be some companies which are skeptical and say there is no demand for it. But those who take on the opportunity now will be better positioned to be more competitive compared to those who have not,” said SPRING’s deputy chief executive Ted Tan.
Businessmen at the launch added that being green would help them reach out to European markets, where green consumerism is in vogue.
Over the next five years, this programme is expected to help 60 companies, and generate a value-add of $180 million, said Mr Tan.
SMa is collaborating with the Singapore Environment Council and Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) to help food manufacturers like Prima reduce its carbon footprint in its flour mills.
SMa president Renny Yeo said firms need to view eco-friendly practices not so much as costly but rather, as tools to increase profitability through innovation.
Deals inked to help local firms go green
They are meant to help manufacturers meet future challenges
Francis Chan, Straits Times 1 May 09;
THE global focus on climate change and the environment means companies will have to meet stringent criteria on whether their manufacturing practices are environmentally sustainable, said Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran.
'The commercial and cost pressures associated with meeting these higher standards are exacerbated in an economic downturn, when consumer demand declines,' said Mr Iswaran.
'This presents opportunities for collaboration between environmental services companies and manufacturing companies to use environmental technology solutions to alleviate cost pressures.'
The minister was speaking at the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) yesterday between the Singapore Manufacturers' Federation (SMa), Singapore Environment Council and Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology.
SMa said the agreements aim to transform and upgrade local manufacturers' capabilities to meet future challenges.
Yesterday, the first joint initiative under the MOUs - the Sustainable Manufacturing Programme - was launched.
The programme, which is supported by Spring Singapore, aims to help increase a manufacturer's efficiency by reducing energy and water consumption, by-product waste and its carbon footprint through eco-efficient improvements to its manufacturing practices.
'This is the right step forward, especially in this downturn where we can help our manufacturers cut non-wage costs for business sustainability,' said SMa president Renny Yeo.
Spring Singapore deputy chief executive Ted Tan agreed: 'The movement towards a green economy is a tide that we cannot reverse...and this is probably the best time for companies to build capabilities and prepare for the upturn.'
Mr Tan said Spring can help small- and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) with qualifying projects defray up to 70 per cent of the implementation costs through its EnviroTech Capability Development Programme.
'Through this programme, we expect to help about 60 companies and generate a value add of about $180 million over the next five years,' he added.
The scepticism of firms fighting to stay afloat during the downturn is not lost on Mr Tan. But he maintains that such initiatives can help SMEs get in better shape for the upturn.
'I think this is really about preparing for the future, and those who take on the opportunities now will be in a better position to be more competitive compared to those who have not,' he added.
Sustainable manufacturing takes off here
Prima and Gardenia are among first few scheme participants
Michelle Yeo, Business Times 1 May 09;
SUSTAINABLE manufacturing in Singapore took off yesterday with a pilot project in the food manufacturing sector, bringing together manufacturers, packaging firms, F&B retailers, environmental technologists and waste management outfits.
Environment technology firms will help manufacturing companies to increase their efficiency by reducing energy and water consumption, by-product waste and carbon footprint through eco-efficient improvements to their manufacturing systems and processes.
Prima Ltd and Gardenia Foods are among the first few participants of the Sustainable Manufacturing Programme.
Under this programme, the Singapore Manufacturers' Federation (SMa), Singapore Environment Council and Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) will foster a conducive environment for sustainable manufacturing practices.
Speaking at the programme's launch yesterday, S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade & Industry and Education, said: 'Sustainable manufacturing will have a global impact and it is important that our manufacturers understand how to leverage on it. Companies will be able to reduce costs, reduce carbon emissions, and technologies will be a reference site for export to overseas markets.'
Earlier this week, the government launched a blueprint for Sustainable Development in Singapore, and is pledging to invest $1 billion in this blueprint over the next five years.
Prima executive director and general manager Lewis Cheng told BT yesterday: 'It is not enough to look at the top and bottom line of the business. We need to be socially responsible and see what we can do to protect the environment.'
Prima will be converting by-products from flour milling to biofuel to power manufacturing, and also recycle them into biodegradable packaging.
Alpha Synovate, a waste oil recycler, helped to convert curry-puff retailer Old Chang Kee's used cooking oil into biofuel, which in turn is used to power Old Chang Kee's mobile kitchens. This successful collaboration is an example for all food manufacturers to emulate.
Spring Singapore will be supporting the programme through a grant support up to 70 per cent of qualifying costs.
Spring deputy chief executive Ted Tan said that the movement towards a green economy is 'a tide we cannot reverse' and that the downturn is a good time to build capabilities and generate potential in companies. Spring will play its part in defraying part of the manufacturing costs.
SMa president Renny Tan added in the same vein: 'The downturn presents a good opportunity for our manufacturing sector to implement long- term plans and invest in research to find greener solutions. This will prepare them for the economic upswing in the future.'
