The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and the Innovation and Technology Commission officially launched the third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, at Hong Kong Science Park on September 1, 2026. This new cluster is dedicated to advancing research in sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials, aiming to foster emerging industries and solidify Hong Kong's position as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub.
The launch ceremony was attended by key government officials 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 top local and international universities, research organizations, and industry partners.
SEAM@InnoHK comprises eight R&D centres that bring together over 30 world-renowned universities and research institutions, including the University of Cambridge, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Nagoya University, the 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) participates in the InnoHK Centre of Functional Materials for Energy and Sustainability (CFMES); Sir Konstantin Novoselov (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) is involved in the InnoHK Power Semiconductors and Applications Center (PowerSAC). This stellar lineup underscores Hong Kong's ability to attract global scientific talent and foster cross-border collaboration.
The new cluster is expected to deliver tangible societal benefits by driving breakthroughs in key areas. 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, additive manufacturing, and digital twins. The InnoHK Centre for Space Manufacturing Technology (CSMT) will establish a world-class hub for space manufacturing research, while 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. Other centres, such as the InnoHK Research Centre for Intelligent GRID and Energy Technologies (I-GET) and the InnoHK Sustainable Materials & Advanced Renewable Technologies (SMARTCentre), are dedicated to intelligent grid technologies and AI-accelerated materials discovery for circular waste upcycling and clean energy.
Ms. Cordelia Chung, Chairman of HKSTP, highlighted the significance of the launch: "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."
HKSTP, as the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, will provide comprehensive support to the SEAM@InnoHK centres, including world-class R&D infrastructure, connections with academic institutions and talent pools, investor networks, and funding matchmaking. This ecosystem approach is designed to accelerate the commercialization of research and transform breakthroughs into scalable, high-impact solutions.
The launch of SEAM@InnoHK is a strategic move by the HKSAR Government to strengthen Hong Kong's role as 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, accelerate technology transfer, and support startup incubation. This initiative is expected to have significant implications for the region's economic development, positioning Hong Kong at the forefront of emerging industries and future innovation.
