Indorama sponsors university startup challenge

Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd, a Thailand-based chemicals and polymers producer, has sponsored the 12th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), hosted by Singapore Management University (SMU).

The LKYGBPC, a university startup challenge focused on urban solutions and sustainability, drew more than 1,500 applications from six continents, with 57 finalists competing at the Grand Finals Week in Singapore.

Catia Cesari, managing partner at investment platform Volta Circle, represented Indorama Ventures on the judging panel.

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Indorama Ventures presented the Future of Sustainable Materials Award, recognizing university projects with achievements in advanced fibers and polymers, biobased feedstocks, advanced recycling and circular economy solutions. The award supports early-stage startups at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or higher, with prizes of 50,000 Singapore dollars (roughly $38,700) in the Beta track and SG$75,000 (approximately $57,800) in the Infinity track. Winners were evaluated on scientific merit, scalability, industrial validation potential and impact on urban infrastructure and manufacturing.

This year, Indorama Ventures recommended six finalists with innovations spanning AI-enabled materials discovery, low-emissions chemical scale-up and bio-fabricated alternatives for hard-to-abate sectors.

The winners of Indorama Ventures’ Future of Sustainable Materials Award were Synmetabio, a Shanghai-based biomaterial startup developing high-performance biobased leather solutions, and Micromelt, a U.K.-based deep-tech startup advancing closed-loop solutions for mixed plastics with microwave technology.

“At Indorama Ventures, sustainability drives our innovation strategy,” says Yash Lohia, Indorama executive president and chairman of its Environmental, Social and Governance Council. “We collaborate with startups to develop recycling technologies and biobased materials that can scale from lab to industry, supporting the transition to a more circular economy. We recognize that startups hold the key to breakthrough solutions that provide a competitive edge. Through initiatives like the LKYGBPC, we connect entrepreneurial talent with our global platform to accelerate solutions that create long-term value for society and our business.”