The 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 cluster is dedicated to advancing emerging fields such as sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials, leveraging the expertise of top local and international academic and research institutions. The initiative underscores Hong Kong's robust R&D capabilities and its role as a global innovation and technology (I&T) hub.
The launch ceremony was officiated by prominent 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 scholars and representatives from universities and research organizations worldwide, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the initiative.
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 these 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 reinforces Hong Kong's unique position 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 R&D centres under SEAM@InnoHK, including world-class infrastructure, connections with academic institutions, talent pools, and investor networks. This support aims to facilitate the transformation of breakthrough research into scalable, high-impact commercial solutions, driving technology transfer and startup incubation.
Ms Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP, emphasized the significance of the occasion: "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 new cluster focuses on areas critical to future industries. For instance, the InnoHK Centre for Advanced and Smart Manufacturing (CASM) aims to lead global manufacturing toward Industry 5.0 by integrating AI, advanced materials, and digital twins. The InnoHK Centre for Space Manufacturing Technology (CSMT) seeks to establish a hub for international research collaboration in space manufacturing. Meanwhile, the InnoHK Hong Kong Center for Renewable Energy and Storage (HKCRES) focuses on developing high-performance perovskite photovoltaics, green hydrogen systems, and next-generation batteries.
InnoHK is a flagship I&T initiative of the HKSAR Government intended to develop 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. With the addition of SEAM@InnoHK, the three InnoHK research clusters—Health@InnoHK, AIR@InnoHK, and now SEAM@InnoHK—will further enrich Hong Kong's scientific landscape, accelerating technology transfer and the growth of the I&T industry.
