InnoHK R&D Centres Establish Base at Science Park to Drive Emerging Industries and Pioneer Future Innovation

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation announced the official launch of the third InnoHK research cluster, designated SEAM@InnoHK, at the Hong Kong Science Park on September 1, 2026. The new initiative focuses on sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials science. It represents the latest phase in a five-year expansion of the region’s innovation infrastructure. The cluster aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global hub for technology and research. The launch ceremony was co-hosted by HKSTP and the Innovation and Technology Commission. Key government officials attended the event to mark the occasion. Professor Sun Dong, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, officiated the proceedings alongside other senior figures. Ms. Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP, also participated in the formal opening. Mr. Kelvin Choi, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, was present at the front row. Mr. Lyu Feng, Deputy Director-General of the Economic and Financial Department II of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, attended the function. Mr. Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, and Mr. Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, completed the group of principal dignitaries. Representatives from local and overseas universities, international research bodies, and industry partners witnessed the unveiling. Ms. Chung stated that InnoHK has operated within the Science Park for five years. She described the current moment as the beginning of a second five-year period. According to her remarks, the previous clusters, Health@InnoHK and AIR@InnoHK, have already produced world-class results. She emphasized the collaborative power of global scholars and partners. HKSTP committed to providing maximum support to the new teams. She noted that their success would benefit the broader innovation landscape of Hong Kong. The SEAM@InnoHK platform comprises eight distinct research and development centers. These entities have aggregated partnerships with more than thirty leading global universities and research institutions. The consortium includes the University of Cambridge, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Nagoya University, the National University of Singapore, Tsinghua University, and Peking University. Three specific centers involve collaborations with Nobel Laureates. Professor Ben L. Feringa, a 2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry from the University of Groningen, contributes to the InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability. Sir Konstantin Novoselov, known as the Father of Graphene and associated with the National University of Singapore, is another participant. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010. HKSTP describes itself as the largest innovation and technology ecosystem in Hong Kong. The corporation offers professional support and resources to the centers under SEAM@InnoHK. This support includes access to world-class research infrastructure. It also facilitates connections with academic institutions, talent pools, and investor networks. The organization arranges matchmaking sessions with funding sources and industry partners. The goal is to help teams convert breakthrough research into scalable commercial solutions. The event highlighted the integration of global scientific excellence with local industrial application. Attendees explored the research and development roadmap for the new cluster. Discussions covered potential industrial applications and future innovation pathways. The presence of high-profile international academics underscores the depth of the network. The involvement of central government liaison officers indicates continued institutional backing. The focus on materials and energy aligns with broader trends in sustainable industrial development. The establishment of this base continues a multi-year strategy to diversify Hong Kong’s technological output. Previous successes in health and artificial intelligence set the precedent for this new domain. The clustering model relies on dense interaction between different disciplines. By grouping these centers within the Science Park, the administration intends to foster synergy. Investors and partners were invited to engage directly with the researchers during the launch. The immediate objective is to drive tangible societal benefits through applied science. No specific financial figures for the initial investment were disclosed in the available reports. The announcement focused primarily on the structural and collaborative aspects of the project. The timeline for specific deliverables from the eight centers was not detailed beyond the general five-year framework. The ceremony served as both a public relations milestone and a practical networking opportunity. Scholars from the participating institutions were present to discuss their respective projects. The atmosphere reflected confidence in the long-term viability of the partnership. The inclusion of diverse international partners signals a commitment to open scientific cooperation. Institutions from Europe, Asia, and North America are part of the mix. This geographic spread allows for varied approaches to problem solving in materials science. The energy sector component suggests a focus on renewable technologies and efficiency. Advanced manufacturing links to the production side of the research pipeline. Together, these elements form a comprehensive approach to industrial modernization. The roles of the attending officials highlight the interdepartmental nature of the initiative. Both the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Liaison Office played parts in the oversight. This structure ensures alignment with broader economic policies. The CEO of HKSTP represented the operational arm of the project. His presence underscored the corporate responsibility for managing the physical space and services. The collective attendance reinforced the message of unified governmental and private sector effort. Future developments will likely center on the specific outputs of the eight centers. Monitoring progress against the stated goals of sustainability and advanced manufacturing will be ongoing. The success of this third cluster depends on the ability to translate laboratory findings into market-ready products. Stakeholders expect the ecosystem to continue growing in influence. The foundation laid by the first two clusters provides a template for execution. The new base is now fully operational for the incoming cohort of researchers.