About Life Lab Resources: Singapore’s Circular Food Systems Company
Closing the Food Loop for a Sustainable Future
Life Lab Resources is a Singapore circular food systems company, founded in 2022. We treat food waste on-site with our WasteMaster system, upcycle it into microbial protein for animal feed, and use that feed to raise fish and grow aquaponics vegetables. Life Lab Resources is the first and only Singapore Food Agency-licensed company in Singapore to upcycle post-consumer mixed food waste into animal feed.
As Singapore works towards its 2035 food security targets of producing 20% of its fibre and 30% of its protein needs locally, and strives for zero waste, Life Lab Resources is dedicated to closing the food loop. By transforming food waste into valuable feed resources, we address the pressing need to reduce waste and ensure sustainable food sources.
Objectives
- Reduce carbon footprint by diverting food waste from incineration.
- Decrease environmental impact by recycling food waste into new feed resources
- Enhance food security and bridge the gap between food waste generation and food insecurity
Current progress
- Exclusive distributor of WasteMaster in Singapore.
- Bio-refinery operational, recycling 130 tonnes of food waste per month and reducing 470 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
- Upcycles food waste into microbial protein feed, used to raise fish and grow aquaponics vegetables.
- Research and development collaborations with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Temasek Polytechnic.
- Closed a US$1 million Pre-Series A round in September 2026.
Who We Work With
Life Lab Resources works with leading organisations across Singapore to close the food loop:
- Malls: Frasers Property, across 7 malls in Singapore
- Hotels: Marina Bay Sands, Grand Hyatt Singapore, Hilton Orchard, Fairmont Singapore, Swissôtel and Carlton Hotel
- Airport: Changi Airport Terminal 1
- Institutions: National University of Singapore (NUS)
- Farming: Metro Farm
- Research: Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Temasek Polytechnic
Recognition
Life Lab Resources is a recipient of the 2023 DBS Foundation Business for Impact Grant. This has enabled the company to scale and make a bigger difference.
The Company of Good Recognition System recognises the contributions of organisations in Singapore for their commitment at the national level to corporate purpose and impact in the People, Society, Governance, Environment and Economic dimensions. The award is accorded by the National Voluntary and Philanthropy Centre.
Life Lab Resources is a 3 Hearts recipient for 2026 to 2028.
Life Lab Resources is ISO 22000 certified by SOCOTEC Certification International. ISO 22000 is the international standard for food safety management systems.
Life Lab Resources won the Most Promising Sustainability Startup Award at the OCBC Emerging Enterprise Award 2024.
Our Team
Our team consists of business veterans with a combined experience of more than 60 years in F&B, Biotechnology and Manufacturing.
Edward, a socially conscious entrepreneur, has a remarkable track record of creating a positive impact on society. At the young age of 18, he founded the non-profit organization Arts For Us All (AFUA), engaging youth in arts-based community work. Later, at 21, while studying at the National University of Singapore (NUS), he co-founded Timbre and became its Managing Director. Edward’s vision for developing the local music scene led him to grow Timbre into a holistic music lifestyle company, supporting homegrown musicians, promoting local hawkerpreneurs, and embracing an inclusive employment policy by hiring ex-offenders.
Having divested his stake in the Timbre group, Edward now focuses on circular economy solutions, particularly in post-consumer food waste. His goal is to close the food loop in Singapore, akin to the closed water loop. Edward actively serves the community and has been involved with esteemed organizations such as the National Arts Council, National Museum of Singapore, and Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE). He has also made significant contributions to committees focused on arts, culture, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Currently, Edward serves as a Member of Parliament and Grassroots Advisor for Holland Bukit Timah GRC.
Edward’s notable achievements have earned him numerous awards, including Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year, Junior Chamber International Award, Singapore Youth Award, and the ASEAN Youth Award. Leveraging his entrepreneurial experience and strategic vision, he now brings his expertise in F&B operations and deep understanding of food waste challenges to Life Lab Resources.
Edward has played a pivotal role in developing Life Lab Resources’ three-step process for recycling food waste, cementing his commitment to creating a more sustainable future.
Gary is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the semiconductor industry. His extensive expertise spans Fab start-up, process integration, technology transfer, product marketing, program management, and business unit management. With a strong background in engineering, he gained valuable experience at IBM in New York, working on advanced manufacturing and customer engagements.
Selected for the prestigious Temasek young leaders program, Gary has honed his leadership abilities and broadened his perspective. He is passionate about technology, teamwork, and empowerment, finding joy in supporting his team’s growth and success. Gary thrives on industry challenges and enjoys collaborating with talented individuals.
Gary holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a Master’s degree in Microelectronics from Nanyang Technological University. In his free time, he indulges in attending concerts, exploring interesting companies, and listening to business podcasts.
With his adaptability, leadership skills, and passion for tackling challenges, Gary is well-positioned for a successful pivot into food waste management. Leveraging his manufacturing expertise, he can bring operational excellence, quality assurance, efficient supply chain management, and customer-focused solutions to the food waste valorization venture. His experience in process improvement and delivering high-quality products contribute to Life Lab Resources’ competitiveness and sustainability in this emerging industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Life Lab Resources do?
Life Lab Resources is a Singapore circular food systems company. We treat food waste on-site with our WasteMaster system, upcycle it into microbial protein for animal feed, and use that feed to raise fish and grow aquaponics vegetables.
Is Life Lab Resources licensed by the Singapore Food Agency?
Yes. Life Lab Resources is the first and only Singapore Food Agency-licensed company in Singapore to upcycle post-consumer mixed food waste into animal feed. The company is also ISO 22000 certified by SOCOTEC Certification International.
When was Life Lab Resources founded, and who leads it?
Life Lab Resources was founded in 2022. It is led by Edward Chia, Managing Director, and Gary Chia, General Manager.
Where is Life Lab Resources based?
Life Lab Resources is based in Singapore, where it treats food waste on-site with WasteMaster and upcycles it into animal feed at its bio-refinery.
Which organisations does Life Lab Resources work with?
Partners include Frasers Property across 7 malls, Marina Bay Sands, Grand Hyatt Singapore, Hilton Orchard, Fairmont Singapore, Swissôtel, Carlton Hotel, Changi Airport Terminal 1, the National University of Singapore and Metro Farm, with research collaborations with Nanyang Technological University and Temasek Polytechnic.