Croda Singapore, Asia’s headquarters of Croda International, a leading global specialty chemicals company, has partnered with NanoSun, a spin-off company from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), to build an advanced wastewater treatment plant at its Seraya manufacturing site in Jurong Island.
The project is a significant step from test-bedding to full-scale deployment, following a successful trial under the Jurong Island Innovation Challenge (JIIC), an initiative by JTC and Enterprise Singapore.
With the new plant, Croda aims to significantly cut its reliance on freshwater sources while reducing carbon emissions by 25 per cent compared to current industry benchmarks.
NanoSun’s water purification technology was first tested at Croda’s facility with a pilot-scale plant under Singapore's National Water Agency PUB’s Industry Track, which supports the development of innovative water solutions.
The new full-scale plant is designed to treat up to 7,000 cubic meters (7 million litres) of wastewater per month, equivalent to 2.7 Olympic-sized swimming pools, and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025.
This marks the largest application of NanoSun’s technology, alongside a similar deployment in Hong Kong.
Launched in August 2021, JIIC invited startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to tackle key challenges on Jurong Island, including energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and waste and water management.
A global leader in speciality chemicals, Croda supplies ingredients for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, and industrial applications.
As part of the challenge, the company sought an advanced solution to treat high-strength wastewater, which accounts for a quarter of its total output and currently requires external processing. It also aimed to enable sustainable water reuse in its operations.
Through JIIC, Croda was matched with NanoSun to develop a tailored treatment system that enhances water recovery while improving sustainability in its manufacturing processes.
Mr Babu Alagappan, Managing Director of Croda Singapore, said, "Sustainability is at the heart of Croda’s operations, and we continuously seek innovative ways to reduce our environmental footprint. By integrating NanoSun’s cutting-edge technology, we will not only enhance our wastewater management but also reduce water consumption by at least 70% once the plant becomes fully operational, significantly contributing to the country's water conservation efforts. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to responsible manufacturing and a more sustainable future in line with the Singapore Green Plan 2030 ambitions."
Mr Wong Ann Chai, Managing Director of NanoSun, added, "NanoSun is making great strides in industrial wastewater treatment and reclamation, helping industries achieve sustainability while lowering operating costs. The successful implementation of our technology at Croda’s facility demonstrates its potential to revolutionise wastewater management, and we are excited to scale up this solution to support more industries in achieving water sustainability and tackling tough environmental challenges. The strong Singapore innovation ecosystem has enabled local SMEs like NanoSun to grow and innovate.
Mr Tan Boon Khai, Chief Executive Officer of JTC said, “Jurong Island lies at the heart of our sustainability endeavours. Through JIIC, we aim to work alongside industry partners to accelerate market-ready breakthroughs that can tackle complex challenges faced by the energy and chemicals sector. The Croda-NanoSun partnership exemplifies how industry-led solutions can advance our collective vision to transform Jurong Island into a sustainable energy and chemicals park.”
NanoSun’s innovative water technology
NanoSun’s solution features a patented high-performance filtration membrane, produced using a 3D-printing process infused with titanium dioxide particles, giving it self-cleaning properties.
Its performance is further enhanced by a new confined nano-bubble process that improves filtration efficiency. The nano-bubble technology works by generating ultra-fine gas bubbles, typically smaller than 200 nanometers, which stay suspended in water longer than regular bubbles.
These tiny bubbles increase the surface area for chemical reactions, helping to oxidise and break down stubborn pollutants, including organic compounds and industrial chemicals that conventional treatment methods struggle to remove.
This innovative process speeds up contaminant breakdown, thus improving water purification quality and making the treated water suitable for reuse in manufacturing.
The deployment of NanoSun’s technology supports Singapore’s long-term water sustainability goals, which focus on reducing industrial water consumption and increasing water reuse to strengthen the country’s water resilience.
Associate Professor Darren Sun, Co-founder of NanoSun and a faculty member at NTU’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), added:"NanoSun’s technology was developed to transform industrial wastewater into a valuable resource. This collaboration with Croda showcases how advanced filtration and our unique nano-bubble can help industries be more sustainable. Looking ahead, we hope to expand the application of our nano-bubble confinement technology to generate construction materials from CO₂ to support the Long Island land reclamation, while also contributing to cost reductions in NEWater production"
NEWater is Singapore’s high-grade reclaimed water, produced through advanced filtration and disinfection, primarily used to support industrial and non-domestic water needs.
This project is also a testament to the innovation and collaboration between industry, academia and research partners, setting an example of how public-private partnerships can drive technological advancements for sustainable water management.
In 2021, Nanosun was announced as the winner of JIIC, where it was awarded up to S$1 million in co-funding to develop a treatment solution for Croda.
The year-long pilot project was designed and implemented under PUB’s Industry Track, with support from Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and engineering expertise from NTU CEE.
With this system in place, Croda expects to convert nearly all its industrial wastewater into reusable water, reducing reliance on fresh water and lowering environmental impact.
About NanoSun
NanoSun is an award-winning Singapore-based company specializing in advanced water treatment solutions. As a spin-off from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), it leverages cutting-edge technologies, including patented high-performance filtration membranes and nano-bubble processes, to address complex industrial wastewater challenges. Its mission is to provide practical and cost-effective water treatment systems that promote sustainability and environmental responsibility across various industries.
NanoSun has received multiple accolades for its innovation, including the Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Technology Innovation Award for water filtration and the Global Water Awards' Water Technology Idol for its breakthrough in 3D-printed filtration membranes. It was also a winner of the Jurong Island Innovation Challenge (JIIC) in 2021 and received the Emerging Enterprise Award for its rapid and sustainable growth.
About Croda
Croda creates, makes and delivers speciality chemicals that industries and consumers worldwide rely on every day.
Established in 1925, Croda has built a legacy of innovation, customer focus, and a forward-thinking approach that sets itself apart.
The organisation’s Purpose, using Smart science to improve lives™, drives everything we do. With a team of over 6,100 passionate employees operating across manufacturing sites, laboratories, and offices globally, Croda harnesses cutting-edge science to develop sustainable solutions for unmet needs.
About JTC
Since its inception in 1968, JTC has played a strategic role in ensuring Singapore stays innovative and dynamic amid global manufacturing trends.
As a government agency under Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, JTC is paving the way forward for Singapore’s industrial landscape with green and smart estate masterplans such as one-north, Seletar Aerospace Park, Jurong Innovation District, and Punggol Digital District. Our estates attract new investment and foster collaborative ecosystems that strengthen Singapore’s position as an advanced manufacturing hub. We also drive innovation in the Built Environment sector by piloting new construction technologies.
For more information on JTC, visit www.jtc.gov.sg.
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