Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with the Innovation and Technology Commission, officially launched the third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, at Hong Kong Science Park on September 1, 2026. The new cluster 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. This initiative underscores Hong Kong's robust R&D capabilities and global collaboration networks, promising tangible societal benefits and further solidifying its status as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub.
The launch ceremony was officiated by key government and industry leaders, including Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP; Mr Kelvin Choi, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; 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; Mr Ivan Lee, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology; and Mr Terry Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP. They were joined by representatives from local and overseas universities, international research organizations, R&D centres, and industry partners to witness the launch and explore the cluster's R&D roadmap and industrial application prospects.
SEAM@InnoHK comprises eight R&D centres that bring 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 of the centres feature collaborations with Nobel Laureates: Professor Ben L. Feringa (2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry) from the University of Groningen participates in research at the InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability (CFMES); Sir Konstantin Novoselov, known as the 'Father of Graphene' and 2010 Nobel Laureate in Physics, serves as principal investigator for the Inno Centre for Heterogeneous Integration and Production (CHIP); and Professor Hiroshi Amano (2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics) from Nagoya University is involved with the InnoHK Power Semiconductors and Applications Center (PowerSAC). This stellar international scientific lineup highlights Hong Kong's unique advantages in assembling world-class research talent and fostering cross-border collaboration.
As the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, HKSTP provides comprehensive support to the SEAM@InnoHK centres, including world-class R&D infrastructure, connections with academic institutions, talent pools, and investor networks, as well as matchmaking with funding and industry partners. This support aims to empower teams to transform breakthrough research into scalable, high-impact commercial solutions. Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP, stated: '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 launch of SEAM@InnoHK is a strategic move to address global challenges in sustainability and advanced manufacturing. The eight centres cover a wide range of research areas: the InnoHK Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM) aims to lead global manufacturing toward Industry 5.0 by fusing AI, advanced materials, additive manufacturing, and digital twins; the CFMES focuses on functional materials for energy and sustainability; CHIP advances next-generation electronics through innovations in semiconductor equipment and material processing; the InnoHK Centre for Space Manufacturing Technology (CSMT) establishes a hub for space manufacturing research; the InnoHK Hong Kong Center for Renewable Energy and Storage (HKCRES) develops high-performance perovskite photovoltaics, green hydrogen systems, and next-generation batteries; PowerSAC develops advanced power semiconductors and intelligent chips; the InnoHK Research Centre for Intelligent GRID and Energy Technologies (I-GET) focuses on intelligent and green grid technologies; and the InnoHK Sustainable Materials & Advanced Renewable Technologies (SMARTCentre) leverages AI to accelerate materials discovery for waste upcycling and clean energy technologies.
This initiative is part of the InnoHK flagship program, which aims to develop Hong Kong into a global hub for scientific research cooperation. Together with the existing Health@InnoHK and AIR@InnoHK clusters, the three clusters will enrich Hong Kong's scientific landscape and accelerate technology transfer, startup incubation, and the growth of the I&T industry. For business leaders, this development signals increased opportunities for collaboration, investment, and access to cutting-edge technologies that could drive innovation in sustainable development and advanced manufacturing, both locally and globally.
