A*STAR and Local SMEs Launch Joint Labs to Strengthen Advanced Manufacturing
Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) has partnered with three local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to establish industry joint laboratories focused on advanced manufacturing technologies. Announced on 3 October 2025, the initiative involves collaborations with Abrasive Engineering, Applied Total Control Treatment and Grand Venture Technology, with a combined investment of more than S$21 million. According to the official announcement, the labs aim to accelerate product development, generate intellectual property and strengthen Singapore’s role in high-value manufacturing sectors.
The partnerships are designed to help SMEs expand their technological capabilities while contributing to sectors such as semiconductors, aerospace and life sciences. By combining public research expertise with industry-led development, the initiative supports broader national efforts to strengthen innovation capacity and supply chains, complementing wider policies highlighted in Singapore’s strategy to strengthen technology and innovation leadership.
Joint labs designed to scale SME innovation
The three joint laboratories are expected to develop new product lines, generate intellectual property and create high-value research and development roles. The projects focus on advanced surface engineering, high-performance materials and specialised manufacturing processes that are increasingly required in global technology supply chains.
These collaborations reflect Singapore’s ongoing efforts to integrate research institutions and industry partners to accelerate commercialisation of innovation. They also align with wider economic trends in which technology-intensive sectors are contributing to national growth, as seen in Singapore’s expanding AI and technology-driven economy.
Abrasive Engineering expands from services to product innovation
Abrasive Engineering, a Singapore-based company specialising in surface enhancement technologies, previously derived more than 70 per cent of its revenue from services and trading. Through collaboration with A*STAR, the company has shifted towards developing proprietary industrial products used in aerospace, energy and medical applications.
The first phase of the Abrasive Engineering–A*STAR joint lab, launched in 2020, focused on precision valves and automated blasting systems. The collaboration produced six product lines and four intellectual property assets, while generating a S$3.5 million revenue increase during the project period. These innovations included a patented microwave media dosing unit designed to improve the precision and reliability of shot peening processes.
The technology allows more precise control of abrasive media flow in industrial applications, supporting higher consistency and quality across manufacturing processes. By the completion of the project in 2023, 15 units had been manufactured and sold to customers in Singapore and international markets including China, India, Korea and Japan.
A second phase of the joint lab will focus on next-generation surface treatment technologies and is projected to support revenue growth to around S$25 million by 2030.
New research programmes target semiconductor and life science supply chains
Two additional joint laboratories will focus on strengthening Singapore’s capabilities in sectors requiring advanced materials and precision manufacturing.
The collaboration with Applied Total Control Treatment (ATC), a local SME specialising in metal plating and surface finishing, will develop advanced surface engineering technologies. The research aims to address challenges in achieving uniform coatings on complex components, where inconsistencies in microstructure can affect performance in demanding environments.
New processes and coatings developed through the lab are expected to support industries including semiconductors, aerospace, medtech and precision engineering. The work may also improve sustainability by reducing energy use and wastewater treatment requirements, while supporting potential business growth of up to 20 per cent.
The joint laboratory with Grand Venture Technology (GVT) will concentrate on high-value ceramics manufacturing. These materials are designed to withstand extreme heat, pressure and wear, making them important for applications such as semiconductor wafer processing equipment, aerospace components and laboratory systems.
Over the next three years, the collaboration will develop a customised manufacturing platform for producing complex ceramic components and assemblies. The initiative is expected to help GVT expand its technical capabilities and respond to growing global demand, with projected revenue growth of up to 25 per cent by 2030.
“A*STAR’s joint labs with Abrasive Engineering, Applied Total Control Treatment, and Grand Venture Technology show how innovation can empower our local SMEs to scale globally. By combining R&D with the agility of local enterprises, we are not only helping companies address bottlenecks and grow their capabilities and international footprint, but also reinforcing Singapore’s position in high-value manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors, aerospace, and life sciences.” — Mr Beh Kian Teik, Chief Executive Officer, A*STAR
Through these joint laboratories, A*STAR continues to bridge research and industry, enabling local companies to move up the value chain and participate more actively in global manufacturing networks.
