Chemical Industry to Leverage IIOT Opportunity

In an interview, Suiniaty Basirun, Chairperson, Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC) with Chemical Today Magazine talks about the opportunities and challenges faced by the chemical industry in Singapore.

Basirun is from Dow Chemical Pacific (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

By Shivani Mody

Opportunity in the chemical industry in Singapore.

Technological advancement has allowed companies to embrace the Internet of Things (IOTs) in the recent years. With digitalisation and the integration of IOTs in the processing plants, chemical companies are starting to leverage digital tools and capabilities to develop more accurate and agile planning, heighten customer awareness and collaborate with business partners throughout the value chain. The adoption of digital technologies in the industry can create new sustainable advantage for their industry to improve operations and develop top-lined opportunities, including new products and services.

As Singapore moves forward with the implementation of IOTs, it will be able to improve productivity and maximise resource efficiency through the use digital tools such as predictive asset management to track maintenance or video analytics to digitally control the use of valves and pumps in a process plants. This will promote Singapore as a world-class advanced manufacturer with good sustainability practices among our industry players, strengthening and exploiting opportunities.

Latest R&D and innovation in the industry.

In an attempt to leverage technology to drive innovation in the rapidly changing economy, the Industry Transformation Map (ITM) has been launched to help industry develop strategies to support the development of new products and processes to increase efficiency and productivity. As Singapore moves towards developing sustainable long-term strategies to ensure the next phase of growth in its energy and chemical industry through the development of new sustainable feedstock and technology, the ITMs will serve as an enabler to facilitate new R&D innovations. Through this industry-focused Government initiative, Singapore can strengthen the current system and further optimize our scarce resources by exploring integrated innovative solutions despite any shifts in momentum to maintain its position as frontrunners in the region.

Views on improving international trade with Asia Pacific markets. 

Singapore is a key chemical hub in the Asia Pacific and the Singapore Chemical Industry Council is constantly taking steps to strengthen ties with countries in the region. For example, through the ASEAN Regulatory Cooperation Project, we work closely with the American Chemistry Council and the Japanese Chemical Industry Association to help advance chemical regulatory cooperation in the ASEAN region. Such coordinated effort is essential in ensuring the region stay relevant and updated on issues in the region.

Regional events such as the Asia Petroleum Industry Conference also allows further sharing and exchanging of information on how we could improve the industry as a whole, and hence facilitating trade.

Promoting safety and protection of the environment.

The industry advocates the voluntary Responsible Care Program, which drives continuous improvement in the areas of health, safety & environmental performance. Companies benchmark themselves and one another on safety practices across various codes including the most recent code – Security. SCIC has a dedicated workgroup overseeing this program and is continuously reaching out to new members, including the smaller companies to participate the program.

The Safety Case regime for Singapore is another avenue to help companies build capability in the implementation of Safety Case to equip chemical manufacturers with in-depth skills and technical knowledge.

Issues faced by the chemical industry.

SCIC faces challenges in the areas of tightening labour market, the recently -introduced carbon tax pricing and increasing regulatory requirements. As a voice for the industry, the council represents its members to address issues and challenges including these through knowledge-driven sharing and negotiations via its connections with the relevant authorities/expertise. To date, SCIC has 10 active dedicated committees set up with industry participation to help find solutions to address challenges faced.