From smarter e-waste recycling to circular packaging: How local partnerships with MNCs are driving growth in S’pore
Singapore-based multinational corporations like SK tes, Diageo, and Sanofi are partnering with local innovators to adopt sustainable solutions, including automating e-waste recycling with Aubotic Technology and implementing reusable glass packaging with ecoSPIRITS to cut Scope 3 emissions. These collaborations aim to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and support circular supply chains across Asia, aligning with broader climate and business resilience goals.
Singapore is emerging as a hub for sustainability-driven partnerships between multinational corporations (MNCs) and local innovators, addressing climate targets while improving operational efficiency. SK tes, a global leader in sustainable technology solutions, partnered with Singapore-based Aubotic Technology in 2025 to develop robotic systems for e-waste recycling. The collaboration focuses on automating the sorting and processing of electronic waste, particularly portable batteries still in packaging, to enhance recovery rates, reduce manual labor, and improve worker safety. Diageo, a major alcoholic beverages company, identified packaging as a key contributor to its Scope 3 emissions—accounting for roughly one-third of its carbon footprint. In 2021, the company began testing a solution with ecoSPIRITS, a Singaporean firm specializing in reusable glass packaging. Through a closed-loop system called ecoTOTEs, Diageo now distributes brands like Smirnoff vodka, Gordon’s gin, and Captain Morgan rum in refillable containers, eliminating single-use glass bottles. The pilot launched in Southeast Asia in 2022, followed by a global licensing agreement in 2023, with over 100,000 ecoTOTEs in circulation worldwide. These partnerships reflect a broader trend where MNCs leverage Singapore’s innovation ecosystem to deploy sustainable technologies, from automation in recycling to circular packaging models. By collaborating with local enterprises, companies are not only reducing environmental impact but also strengthening supply chain resilience and productivity. The initiatives align with global climate goals while positioning Singapore as a regional leader in sustainable business practices.
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