[Closing the Resource Loop Funding Initiative] RFP On Beyond incineration: Plastic waste recycling and packaging solutions

Plastic recycling rates have remained low in Singapore, ranging between 4% and 6% from 2017 to 2022. To reduce waste generation and improve recycling rates of packaging waste, NEA has introduced various initiatives such as the National Recycling Programme (NRP), Packaging Partnership Programme, the Mandatory Packaging Reporting scheme, and the disposable carrier bag charge. To enhance Singapore’s plastics recycling efforts, NEA is pursuing chemical recycling solutions to close the plastic waste loop in Singapore.

Beyond NEA’s existing and planned plastics recycling initiatives, there is a need to develop novel solutions to address the plastic sustainability challenges. These include extracting resources from other types of plastics present in mixed plastic waste, as well as developing sustainable plastic food packaging materials that utilise recycled plastic materials that are easy to recycle.

NEA has launched a competitive grant call on “Beyond Incineration: Plastic Waste Recycling and Packaging Solutions” under the Closing the Resource Loop Funding Initiative

Applicants may submit one or more proposal(s) addressing any of the following problem statements and outcomes.  

Desired Outcome A: Treatment and resource recovery of mixed plastic wastes not covered under NEA’s mechanical and chemical recycling plans.; AND/OR

Desired Outcome B: Address emerging packaging trends to develop sustainable plastic food packaging materials that utilise recycled plastic materials and are easy to recycle.

Interested parties can find more information about the RFP from the following links:

https://researchgrant.gov.sg/ and https://www.nea.gov.sg/programmes-grants/grants-and-awards/research-innovation-and-enterprise-funding-initiatives/closing-the-resource-loop-funding-initiative

Desired Outcome A: Treatment and resource recovery of mixed plastic wastes not covered under NEA’s mechanical and chemical recycling plans. 
Proposal(s) shall exclude:

•    Mass-burn solutions i.e. incineration
•    Sorting, segregation, and/or processing of plastic waste for recycling, sale, or export
•    Incorporation of plastic waste in construction applications like asphalt roads, concrete, and pavements 
•    Engineering modifications of commercially available solution(s) without any research and development such as reducing the thickness of material or replacing one material with a different material

Desired Outcome B: Address emerging packaging trends to develop sustainable plastic food packaging materials that utilise recycled plastic materials and are easy to recycle.
Proposal(s) shall exclude:

•    substitution of plastic with other material(s) 
•    the use of bio-degradable  materials, oxo-degradable  materials; and compostable  materials
•    improvement of cost-efficiency of commercially available solution(s) without any research and development

• R&D Collaboration