R&D : A Key Driver     Membrane & Materials Technology Centre     Research Collaborations     R&D : A Key Driver R&D is the key growth strategy for Hyflux and the company continues to invest in R&D to improve its product offerings and the competitiveness of its processes. Recognising the limitations in just being a systems integrator during the early days, Hyflux appreciates that it must possess its own technology and develop its own brand name in order to become a leader in the environmental. Hyflux is cognisant that these two developments will give the company a competitive edge in the market as well as the capability to provide complete one-stop solutions to its clients. Since it embarked on membrane research in the early 1990s, Hyflux has been developing its own membranes, which have been deployed in a number of key water treatment projects in Singapore and overseas. Today, it has a wide and comprehensive range of membrane products (polymeric, stainless steel and ceramic) and membrane systems, to provide an environmentally friendly solution to wide range of applications in water treatment and industrial manufacturing processing. With the use of its proprietary membranes, Hyflux has also moved into the field of clean energy in environmental applications such as the recycling of spent oils and solvents, as well as in the production of bio-based materials such as lactic acid and biodegradable plastics. Fundamentally Hyflux views R&D not just as a vehicle to stay ahead but as the chief instrument that will put the company on the world map.   ...............................................................................................................................................................................