Industry News

Sinch, a global leader in cloud communications, has launched its multichannel messaging platform, Sinch Engage, in Singapore. The platform enables businesses to create scalable connections with customers on popular channels like WhatsApp and SMS, without requiring technical expertise. Sinch Engage’s features include no-code AI-supported campaigns, native integration with HubSpot, and interactive automated responses for lead capture and appointment reminders.

Sinch Engage aims to redefine digital customer communication by allowing companies to reach consumers in real-time. Angus Manfield, SVP of Sales & Partnerships at Sinch, highlighted WhatsApp’s popularity in Singapore, stating, “The data is clear: WhatsApp is one of the most used and impactful platforms in Singapore. This is why Sinch is bringing Engage to Singapore businesses to help them better tap into consumer demand for additional communication through this channel.”

The platform’s integration with HubSpot’s Service Hub is a key feature, enabling users to send personalised campaigns directly from workflows. Kelly Sarabyn, Director of Technology Partner Programmes and Strategy at HubSpot, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting that Sinch Engage provides Singapore HubSpot users with more options for customer connection.

Sinch Engage is trusted by numerous global companies and complies with data privacy standards such as PDPA and GDPR. It also boasts ISO-20071 certification and built-in spam filtering, ensuring high security and privacy standards. The launch of Sinch Engage in Singapore marks a significant step in enhancing business communication capabilities in the region.

FairPrice Group has launched FPG ADvantage, Singapore’s largest omnichannel retail media network, designed to connect brands with consumers across the nation. This new initiative leverages FairPrice Group’s extensive network of 570 touchpoints, including FairPrice supermarkets, Cheers convenience stores, Unity pharmacies, and Kopitiam food courts, to engage customers where they shop, dine, and live.

FPG ADvantage offers brands access to 1.7 million customers using the FPG app and over two million members of Link Rewards, Singapore’s largest loyalty programme. The network includes more than 1,000 digital screens, in-store radio, AI-enabled smart carts, and app-based interactions, facilitating over one million customer engagements daily.

The platform provides consumer-goods brands with insights into their digital media investments through strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Meta and The Trade Desk. This enables brands to connect digital campaigns directly to sales, allowing for quick strategy refinement and ensuring measurable sales outcomes.

Since early 2025, FPG ADvantage has delivered significant results for partners such as the Health Promotion Board, Singtel, and Nestlé Milo. Notably, Nestlé achieved a 42x return on ad spend and a 30% sales uplift across channels.

Vipul Chawla, Group CEO of FairPrice Group, highlighted the platform’s ability to offer brands a trusted advertising solution built on insights from Singapore’s largest retailer. The launch underscores FairPrice Group’s commitment to evolving the retail landscape in Asia, aiming to create meaningful connections and enhance everyday life for Singaporeans.

Veolia has announced that its hazardous waste treatment facility in Singapore has received the country’s first licence from the National Environment Agency (NEA) to treat aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This approval marks a significant step in Singapore’s environmental protection efforts, particularly as the nation phases out firefighting foams containing PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS by 1 January 2026.

The licence allows Veolia to employ high-temperature thermal treatment, a method proven to achieve a destruction and removal efficiency of up to 99.9999% for targeted PFAS. This development is crucial for local industries needing to comply with upcoming regulations, ensuring safe and effective disposal of PFAS-contaminated waste.

Bruno Forissier, CEO of Veolia in South East Asia, stated, “This first-of-its-kind licence from the NEA validates our advanced BeyondPFAS solutions and reinforces Singapore’s position as a regional leader in environmental innovation.”

The BeyondPFAS initiative will serve multiple sectors, including manufacturing, electronics, and defence, providing a compliant and sustainable solution for managing PFAS waste. Veolia’s facility will play a pivotal role in offering safe disposal pathways, aligning with Singapore’s broader depollution and sustainability goals.

With this licence, Veolia positions itself as a key partner for industries seeking effective PFAS waste management solutions, further supporting Singapore’s commitment to environmental innovation and sustainability.

The Singapore Media Festival (SMF) is set to return for its 12th edition from 26 November to 7 December 2025, showcasing Asian media that empowers, inspires, and connects. Hosted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the festival will include four partner events: the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), Singapore Comic Con (SGCC), and Nas Summit. The festival aims to bring together media professionals, leaders, talents, and consumers to experience diverse innovations and forge industry partnerships.

This year’s SGIFF will feature over 120 films from more than 45 countries, with a focus on Singaporean stories. Highlights include the world premieres of “Sandbox,” “At Home with Work,” and “Cendol.” The festival will open with “Girl,” a coming-of-age drama by Shu Qi, who will attend the opening gala alongside festival ambassador Rebecca Lim.

SGCC, running from 5 to 7 December, will host its largest edition yet, featuring six major tabletop tournaments and exclusive collectibles. Attendees can meet global and local pop culture icons, including Power Rangers Erin Cahill and Jason Faunt, and renowned illustrator Stanley “Artgerm” Lau.

ATF, from 2 to 5 December, will focus on the emerging microdrama genre, offering a keynote session, panel discussion, and masterclass. The event will also facilitate co-productions between Singaporean companies and international partners.

Nas Summit will return in a hybrid format on 1 and 2 December, featuring over 40 sessions led by global and regional personalities. A new SME track will focus on leveraging AI for content creation.

The festival will also introduce initiatives to support filmmakers, including the APNECG Pitching Forum, connecting regional filmmakers with global distributors and financiers. For more information, visit the SMF website.

The 5th International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) Summit took place on 24 October 2025 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, marking the first time the event was held outside the US. The summit, part of the Singapore International Cyber Week 2025, was organised by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and brought together nearly 150 representatives from 60 countries, international organisations, and private sector entities. This gathering underscores the global commitment to combating ransomware.

The CRI, established in 2021, is the only multilateral platform focused on international collaboration against ransomware. Co-chaired by Singapore, Australia, Germany, the UK, and the US, the initiative now includes 74 member countries and organisations. Notably, this summit saw the participation of private sector entities, including Ensign InfoSecurity, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing ransomware threats.

Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information, emphasised the collective resolve against ransomware, stating, “No country, no matter their capabilities or experience, can combat this wicked problem effectively by going it alone.” The summit facilitated discussions on enhancing international cooperation and resilience against ransomware, with members agreeing to improve communication between private organisations and governments, develop capacity-building initiatives, and adopt effective recommendations.

A key outcome was the endorsement of a Guidance for Organisations to Build Supply Chain Resilience Against Ransomware, led by Singapore and the UK. This guidance aims to bolster supply chain security and reduce the impact of ransomware incidents. The summit reaffirmed the CRI’s commitment to fostering international collaboration in cybersecurity efforts.

Augmentus, a Singapore-based leader in AI robotics, has announced a strategic investment from Applied Ventures, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials Inc. This investment is set to propel Augmentus’s mission of advancing intelligent autonomous robotics for high-mix, high-variability manufacturing worldwide. The company’s flagship innovation, the AutoPath robotics stack, integrates advanced 3D vision and adaptive intelligence, enabling robots to perceive, understand, and act with unprecedented precision.

The AutoPath system generates detailed point clouds, allowing robots to capture intricate geometries and surface deviations. This capability translates into dynamic, real-time path generation, enabling robots to adjust their movements on the fly, thus maintaining accuracy in complex environments. This innovation eliminates the need for expert programming, allowing robots to be deployed and reconfigured in minutes, transforming them into adaptive collaborators in manufacturing processes.

Daryl Lim, co-founder and CEO of Augmentus, stated, “Our vision is to enable factories to adapt as quickly as the world changes.” With the backing of Applied Ventures, Augmentus aims to bring agility, precision, and resilience to global manufacturing. Abhishek Sud, Senior Investment Director at Applied Ventures, highlighted the investment’s significance, noting the growing importance of adaptive robotics in enhancing efficiency and resilience in the industrial sector.

Augmentus, with operations in both Singapore and Austin, Texas, offers a no-code AI-powered platform that integrates 3D scanning and adaptive robotic motion. This technology is already deployed across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and energy, significantly reducing setup times and enhancing operational flexibility.

Zyon Grand, a new residential project in Zion Road, Singapore, experienced a successful launch this weekend, selling 590 out of its 706 units. This impressive 84% sales rate underscores the continued confidence in Singapore’s private residential market. Kelvin Fong, CEO of PropNex, noted that this success aligns with the trend of recent launches, such as Parktown Residences and Springleaf Residence, which also saw significant sales.

The development is the first to feature Long-Stay Serviced Apartments, a new category introduced by the government to address rental housing demand. Larger units were particularly popular, reflecting strong end-user interest, with most buyers being Singaporeans. This suggests a resilient local demand, supported by the project’s family-oriented design.

Zyon Grand’s prime location, with direct access to Havelock MRT station, enhances its appeal. The development offers convenient travel to key areas like Shenton Way and Orchard Road, and is close to popular spots along the Singapore River. Additionally, the presence of several schools nearby makes it attractive to families.

The project’s pricing strategy also played a role in its success, with two-bedroom units starting at $1.468m and three-bedroom units at around $2.2m. This competitive pricing, coupled with easing interest rates, has made purchasing more affordable. The 3-month compounded SORA rate is at its lowest in over three years, further boosting buyer confidence.

Prudential Singapore, in collaboration with the SG Eco Fund, has launched the Healthy Harvest initiative, a two-year programme aimed at enhancing climate and health resilience whilst promoting social inclusion. The initiative, unveiled on 26 October, includes the creation of two community edible gardens at Telok Blangah and West Coast Park, designed to engage seniors, young people, and individuals with disabilities in sustainable gardening practices.

The launch event, officiated by Rachel Ong, Adviser to Tanjong Pagar GRC Grassroots Organisations, featured the harvesting and packing of vegetables for local residents. Chan San San, CEO of Prudential Singapore, emphasised the initiative’s goal to empower communities to adopt sustainable lifestyles and healthier eating habits. “Healthy Harvest is a collaboration with the SG Eco Fund that reflects our commitment to building climate and health resilience in the community,” she stated.

The gardens, managed by social enterprises Farmilysg and City Sprouts, offer wheelchair-accessible beds and host various activities, including workshops on sustainable gardening and food waste composting. The initiative aims to collect 6,000 kg of food waste for composting and distribute 3,000 kg of fresh produce to the community.

Desmond Ho, Trust Secretary of SG Eco Fund, highlighted the importance of the initiative in advancing environmental sustainability in line with the Singapore Green Plan 2030. The project is part of Prudential’s SG60 community investment, which has increased from $880,000 to $1m, with additional funding supporting garden activities.

Singapore and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create the Singapore–China Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC). The agreement, signed on 19 October by Singapore’s Acting Minister for Transport, Jeffrey Siow, and China’s Minister of Transport, Liu Wei, elevates their cooperation to a national level, building on previous agreements with Tianjin and Shandong.

The MoU outlines plans for both nations to collaborate with industry stakeholders to advance maritime decarbonisation and improve port and supply-chain efficiency. The initiative will focus on developing technologies, infrastructure, and standards to foster a sustainable and connected maritime ecosystem. Additionally, the corridor aims to enhance digitalisation in maritime operations by promoting data-driven systems to boost efficiency, resilience, and transparency across the maritime value chain.

Both countries will leverage their strengths in manufacturing, supply chain ecosystems, regulatory frameworks, and financial capabilities to drive innovation and implement green and digital initiatives effectively. The establishment of the GDSC highlights the shared commitment of Singapore and China to foster innovation, enhance maritime connectivity, and support the global transition towards a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable maritime sector.

AJJ Medtech Holdings Limited has announced that its subsidiary, AJJ Healthcare Management Pte Ltd, has been awarded a significant long-term supply contract by a prominent network of Singapore healthcare institutions. The contract, effective from 22 October 2025 to 21 October 2028, involves the provision of laboratory plastic consumables to several national-level research and clinical institutions, with an option for a two-year extension.

The contract underscores AJJ Healthcare’s reputation for high-quality and reliable supply chain management, reinforcing its standing as a trusted MedTech and healthcare brand in Singapore. This development is seen as a strategic move that strengthens the company’s position in the institutional supply sector, enhancing its recurring revenue base and earnings visibility over the medium term.

AJJ Healthcare’s CEO, William Ong, expressed his enthusiasm about the contract, stating, “This strategic award enables us to further demonstrate our commitment to operational excellence and supply chain reliability. We are honoured to expand our partnership with Singapore’s leading healthcare institutions.”

The contract also highlights the company’s capability to meet stringent supply chain requirements whilst maintaining consistent product quality and service reliability. AJJ Healthcare’s ISO 13485-certified quality framework played a crucial role in securing this contract, further validating its commercial operations.

The company anticipates that this contract will contribute positively to its financial performance, although the actual revenue generated may vary due to market or regulatory changes. AJJ Medtech Holdings Limited plans to provide updates on any material developments related to this contract.