Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with the Innovation and Technology Commission, has officially launched the third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, at Hong Kong Science Park. This new initiative focuses on emerging domains such as sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials, and is jointly led by top local and international academic and research institutions. The platform underscores Hong Kong's robust R&D capabilities and global collaboration networks, promising tangible societal benefits while solidifying the city's role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub.
The launch ceremony was officiated by key government and industry figures, including Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP; and Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, among others. They were joined by representatives from local and overseas universities, international research organizations, and industry partners to witness the unveiling of SEAM@InnoHK and discuss its R&D roadmap and industrial application prospects.
As the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, HKSTP provides comprehensive professional support and resources to the R&D centres under SEAM@InnoHK. This includes world-class R&D infrastructure, connections with academic institutions, talent pools, investor networks, and matchmaking with funding and industry partners. The goal is to empower teams to transform breakthrough research into scalable, high-impact commercial solutions.
Ms Cordelia Chung highlighted the significance of this milestone: "InnoHK has been with the Science Park for 5 years and this is the start of the second 5-year period. What we can see is that InnoHK has demonstrated the power of collaboration amongst world eminent scholars, researchers, and global partners. The first two clusters, Health@InnoHK and AIR@InnoHK have delivered world-class achievements. We commit to provide all the support we can to the InnoHK teams, as your success will add to the heartbeat of the ecosystem—not only for HKSTP, but for Hong Kong's entire innovation landscape."
The eight R&D centres under SEAM@InnoHK have brought together over 30 top global universities and research institutions, including the University of Cambridge, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Nagoya University, National University of Singapore, Tsinghua University, and Peking University. Notably, three centres feature collaborations with Nobel Laureates: Professor Ben L. Feringa (2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry) at the InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability (CFMES); Sir Konstantin Novoselov (2010 Nobel Laureate in Physics) at the Inno Centre for Heterogeneous Integration and Production (CHIP); and Professor Hiroshi Amano (2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics) at InnoHK Power Semiconductors and Applications Center (PowerSAC). This international scientific lineup highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages in assembling world-class research talent, fostering cross-border collaboration, and driving technological innovation.
InnoHK is a flagship I&T initiative of the HKSAR Government aimed at developing Hong Kong into a global hub for scientific research cooperation. It encourages world-leading universities and research institutes to conduct collaborative research with local institutions by establishing R&D centres in Hong Kong. Together with Health@InnoHK (focusing on healthcare technologies) and AIR@InnoHK (focusing on AI and robotics), the three clusters will further enrich Hong Kong's scientific landscape, accelerating technology transfer, startup incubation, and industry growth.
The new SEAM@InnoHK centres include: InnoHK Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM), which aims to lead global manufacturing toward Industry 5.0; InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability (CFMES), addressing energy and sustainability challenges; InnoHK Centre for Heterogeneous Integration and Production (CHIP), advancing next-generation electronics; InnoHK Centre for Space Manufacturing Technology (CSMT), establishing a hub for space manufacturing research; InnoHK Hong Kong Center for Renewable Energy and Storage (HKCRES), developing high-performance renewable energy systems; InnoHK Power Semiconductors and Applications Center (PowerSAC), focusing on advanced power semiconductors; InnoHK Research Centre for Intelligent GRID and Energy Technologies (I-GET), developing intelligent grid technologies; and InnoHK Sustainable Materials & Advanced Renewable Technologies (SMARTCentre), leveraging AI for materials discovery and waste upcycling.
This launch represents a significant step in Hong Kong's strategy to diversify its economy and strengthen its position as a global innovation hub, with a clear focus on sustainability and advanced manufacturing, which are key to future economic resilience and growth.
