Agilent and NTU’s NEWRI Deepen Collaboration to Tackle Water Contaminants in Singapore
Agilent Technologies Inc has announced the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), reaffirming a long-standing and strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening environmental and water research initiatives in Singapore. This renewed partnership is set to span the next three years and places a strong focus on identifying and addressing emerging water contaminants, such as microplastics and persistent pollutants, as the nation continues to prioritize sustainable water management solutions.
NEWRI, a prominent research institute housed within Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), is recognized as a global leader in environmental research. NTU ranked 13th worldwide in the Environmental Sciences category of the 2025 QS World University Rankings. This third collaboration between Agilent and NEWRI underscores both parties’ commitment to advancing the scientific capabilities necessary to protect water quality in the region and ensure resilient infrastructure for water and wastewater treatment.
At the core of the partnership lies a shared mission to elevate the nation’s scientific capacity to detect and analyze emerging contaminants that pose risks to both ecosystems and public health. By integrating Agilent’s next-generation analytical platforms and NEWRI’s expertise in environmental science, the collaboration aims to co-develop advanced methods for chemical and bioanalytical screening.
Agilent brings to the partnership a comprehensive suite of cutting-edge technologies, including liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) systems, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Seahorse XF metabolic analyzers, xCELLigence real-time cellular analysis systems, and Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) chemical imaging spectroscopy. These tools will be instrumental in enabling NEWRI’s researchers to enhance their detection capabilities and develop robust new techniques for identifying difficult-to-detect contaminants in complex water matrices.
The partnership will also focus on the creation of critical new chemical and bioassay databases, which can serve as foundational tools for future research and policy decisions. These databases are expected to support more precise identification of contaminants in water systems and inform more effective treatment and regulatory strategies.
Professor Wang Rong, Executive Director of NEWRI, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, stating, “We are really excited to take our partnership with Agilent to the next level. Over the past 12 years, NEWRI has made significant contributions in the detection of emerging contaminants, developing robust methods to identify these challenging compounds. This collaboration will pool our strengths and deliver more impactful outcomes in advancing environmental monitoring and protection.”
Bharat Bhardwaj, Vice President of Sales for Asia Pacific at Agilent, echoed these sentiments. “This enduring partnership exemplifies the trust that NEWRI places in our groundbreaking innovations, which bring transformative science to reality. With a robust presence spanning over 25 years and a dedicated team of 600 local experts in Singapore, we take immense pride in advancing targeted projects alongside our collaboration partner. Together, we are pioneering new pathways in safe water testing, addressing the challenges posed by emerging contaminants.”
Over the last decade, NEWRI has developed and implemented a wide range of technologies to improve environmental resilience and sustainability. This includes advancements in low-energy desalination techniques, innovative solid-waste treatment solutions, the deployment of autonomous water purification systems, and enhanced methods for resource recovery. Many of these R&D efforts have been enabled by Agilent’s precision analytical tools, allowing NEWRI to produce high-impact research outcomes that are aligned with Singapore’s broader environmental goals.
Agilent has been an integral part of Singapore’s scientific and technological landscape since establishing its presence in the country in 1999. The company’s reputation as a reliable supplier of analytical technologies has grown steadily, reinforced by its commitment to sustainable practices. In 2022, Agilent was honored by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a “Factory Lighthouse” for its leadership in responsible and scalable smart manufacturing. Notably, Agilent remains the only company in the analytical and clinical laboratory technology sector to receive this distinction from the WEF.
As global and local awareness of environmental pollutants continues to increase, collaborations such as the one between Agilent and NEWRI play a critical role in developing the necessary infrastructure to combat future challenges. Through this partnership, both institutions aim not only to push the boundaries of scientific research but also to contribute meaningful solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
By investing in enhanced detection, data generation, and analytical methodologies, the partnership is well-positioned to support Singapore’s long-term water sustainability strategies. This includes supporting the government’s goals of maintaining a safe, self-sufficient water supply and fostering innovation in urban water management.
As the world faces mounting pressures from pollution, population growth, and climate change, the work undertaken by Agilent and NEWRI is poised to make a significant impact—serving as a model for collaborative, technology-driven approaches to environmental stewardship.
