Lubrizol expands Singapore innovation centre & STEM labs

Lubrizol has expanded its Southeast Asia Innovation Centre in Jurong and launched its Learning Labs STEM programme in Singapore.

The laboratory expansion adds synthesis, analytical and physical sciences, and formulation development to the site's existing application, formulation and technical testing work.

The centre, in Singapore, is part of Lubrizol's wider innovation network and is intended to support customers across Southeast Asia. Set up with support from the Singapore Economic Development Board, it serves as a regional base for customer collaboration, research and technical training.

The added laboratory functions will support work across sectors including energy storage, coatings, electronics, packaging, life sciences and healthcare.

The move comes as manufacturers and materials companies increase research activity in Singapore to meet regional demand and work more closely with customers in Asia. Jurong has long been one of the city-state's main industrial zones for chemicals and advanced manufacturing.

Julie Edgar, Chief Technology Officer at Lubrizol, outlined the company's view of the expansion.

"Customers need innovation partners who can move with speed, apply deep insights and deliver market relevance," said Julie Edgar, Chief Technology Officer at Lubrizol. "Our extensive technical capabilities at the Southeast Asia Innovation Centre expand our ability to translate scientific expertise into commercial solutions, helping customers solve increasingly complex challenges and accelerate the path from innovation to market impact."

Talent focus

Alongside the laboratory upgrade, Lubrizol launched Learning Labs in Singapore as part of its global science, technology, engineering and mathematics education effort. The programme is aimed at students and built around hands-on learning, mentoring and career exploration.

Lubrizol said the wider Learning Labs initiative has engaged more than 12,000 students through more than 50 STEM learning experiences worldwide since its launch in 2025.

Henry Liu, Vice President for Asia Pacific at Lubrizol, linked the education programme to the group's regional plans.

"Innovation and talent are two of the most important drivers of long-term growth," said Henry Liu, Vice President for Asia Pacific at Lubrizol. "We are excited to launch the Learning Labs program in Singapore, with the vision to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and problem-solvers. Together with our Southeast Asia laboratory network, these initiatives reflect our long-term commitment to Singapore as a hub for innovation, talent development and collaboration, supporting sustainable growth across Asia Pacific."

Singapore role

Singapore's Economic Development Board underscored the significance of the investment, pointing to the country's role as both a research base and a gateway to regional markets. The agency also highlighted the talent pipeline for the specialty chemicals sector.

"Lubrizol's decision to expand its Southeast Asia Innovation Centre reflects its confidence in Singapore as an innovation ecosystem, as well as a platform to connect with regional customers. The establishment of Lubrizol's Learning Labs program will also nurture the next generation of talent for Singapore's growing specialty chemicals sector. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Lubrizol to capture new growth opportunities and advance innovation from Singapore for Asia and beyond," said Lim Wey-Len, Executive Vice President at EDB.

The launch event in Singapore brought together Lubrizol executives including President and Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Liebert, Chief Technology Officer Julie Edgar and Vice President for Asia Pacific Henry Liu, alongside industry partners and officials from the Economic Development Board.

Images from the event also showed representatives from Nanyang Technological University taking part in a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding tied to collaboration around the enhanced laboratories. Another image showed Lubrizol presenting a Learning Labs toolkit to Access Singapore as part of the local programme rollout.

Lubrizol, a Berkshire Hathaway company, operates in specialty chemicals. It says it has more than 100 manufacturing facilities, sales and technical offices, and more than 7,000 employees worldwide.