NUS helms effort to use microbes to green the manufacturing sector

Researchers hope to use carbon-munching microbes to produce sustainable products

- Cheryl Tan

A $120 million national research effort is under way to harness the power of carbon-sucking microbes to green the manufacturing sector, from the production of specialty chemicals to sustainable aviation fuel.

Known more broadly as synthetic biology, this is an emerging field in which scientists alter the DNA of fast-growing microbes, like algae, imbuing them with the capabilities to produce desired end products.

Ideally, the researchers at the National University of Singapore hope to devise an economically viable method whereby these microbes feed on carbon dioxide (CO2), using it as fuel to produce a range of chemicals and materials, Professor Liu Bin, NUS deputy president (research and technology), told The Straits Times.

This would reverse the process of refining or "cracking", in which crude oil – a heavy hydrocarbon molecule – is broken down to create petroleum products used for fuel, and to make chemicals and materials such as plastic.

Plans are in place to turn Jurong Island into a sustainable chemicals and refinery hub, including to increase the output of sustainable products by 11½ times from 2019 levels, and the research initiative could spur research and development (R&D) that will help to achieve Singapore's decarbonisation goals, said Prof Liu.

Mr Lim Wey-Len, executive vice-president of the Economic Development Board (EDB), said that he sees synthetic biology as a "potential pathway" by which manufacturers can produce more sustainable products and contribute to Singapore's sustainability goals.

He expects there to be growth in demand for its use, driven by rising consumer demand in Asia coupled with the growing pressure to reduce environmental footprints.

According to an article by EDB in May 2023, the market for synthetic biology is expected to be worth US$55.37 billion (S$73.2 billion) by 2030, quadruple today's valuation.