Singapore is one of the countries that is the most effected by the rising sea levels caused by climate change. So far Singapore has been dealing with the rising sea levels mainly by reclaiming land from the ocean. The main land fill in the reclaimed areas has been sand and the country is one of the world's biggest sand importers. This is problematic due to the lack of sand that the world is currently facing. This report examines this issue and discusses the possible opportunities that this could bring for Finnish companies.

1. OTSIKKO
ALAOTSIKKO, KUUKAUSI VUOSISIGNAL: LAND RECLAMATION IN SINGAPORE

2. SUMMARY
• Singapore is one of the countries that is the most
effected by the rising sea levels caused by climate
change.
• So far Singapore has been dealing with the rising sea
levels mainly by reclaiming land from the ocean.
• The main land fill in the reclaimed areas has been
sand and the country is one of the world's biggest
sand importers.
• This is problematic due to the lack of sand that the
world is currently facing.
• This report examines this issue and discusses the
possible opportunities that this could bring for Finnish
companies.
Team Finland Future Watch Report, December 20172

3. RISE OF SEA LEVELS
Team Finland Future Watch Report, December 20173

4. RISE OF SEA LEVELS
Team Finland Future Watch Report, December 20174
Singapore needs to
find alternatives to
sand and look into
other ways of
maximising its land
space
Much of the small island nation lies above less than 50 feet
above sea level and approximately a third of Singapore lies
no more than 16 feet above sea level. Many parts of the
country could be submerged and Singapore might be running
out of land in the future due to the rise of sea levels. Hitherto
Singapore has been dealing with this mainly by land
reclamation. During the period between 1965—2017
Singapore has grown its land area by a fifth by reclaiming
land. The Marina Bay and the extension to the Changi Airport
that is to be completed in the forthcoming years are examples
of areas that are built on reclaimed land
The reclamation of land has been conducted by importing
sand and using it as a fill in the enclosed areas that are to be
reclaimed. Due to the lack of sand that the world is currently
facing Singapore needs to find alternatives to sand and look
into other ways of maximising its land space in order to
address the rise of sea levels.

5. LACK OF SAND
Team Finland Future Watch Report, December 20175

6. LACK OF SAND
Team Finland Future Watch Report, December 20176
Sand had developed
into the most
extracted natural
resource and the
mining of sand and
gravel notably
surmounts the
natural renewal
rates.
Following water, sand has become the world’s second most
sought after natural resource. Sand had developed into the
most extracted natural resource and the mining of sand and
gravel notably surmounts the natural renewal rates. Sand is
used in diverse sectors, particularly in land reclamation and
the manufacturing of concrete. Sand is also needed for e.g.
asphalt and glass and used in various products from
smartphone screens to toothpaste.
Today legal sand mining is estimated to be a EUR 60 billion
industry while the black market is deemed to constitute a
billion-euro industry as well. Sand mining has had and
continues to have a number of adverse consequences. The
increasing scarcity of sand has led to illegal mining and the
development of the aforementioned black market sand
industry. Thousands of illegal sand mines are discovered ever
year and according to experts hundreds of people including
activists, police and government officials have lost their lives
while resisting the illegalities in e.g. India, Vietnam and
Indonesia.

7. LACK OF SAND
Team Finland Future Watch Report, December 20177
…the scarcity of the
natural resource has
made sand prices
soar
In addition to the criminal activities sand mining has also has
a degrading effect on the environment. It has lead to a loss of
species as well as the loss or deterioration of habitats.
Further, the scarcity of the natural resource has made sand
prices soar which has left builders in e.g. India stranded. A lot
of countries sand exporting countries, e.g. Indonesia,
Malaysia and Cambodia, have also halted their sand exports
due to the scarceness of the material.

8. ALTERNATIVES TO SAND AND
INSIGHTS FOR FINLAND
Team Finland Future Watch Report, December 20178

9. ALTERNATIVES TO SAND AND INSIGHTS FOR FINLAND
Team Finland Future Watch Report, December 20179
…researching and
developing new
materials that could
be used for land
reclamation instead
of sand
As the biggest importer and user of sand Singapore is heavily
affected by the lack of sand and its aforesaid consequences.
The country is now looking for alternatives to sand and also
researching and developing new materials that could be used
for land reclamation instead of sand. Finnish companies that
can provide alternatives to sand or other relevant solutions
might be able to find opportunities related to this issue.

10. Tekes - the Finnish Funding Agency for
Innovation
Porkkalankatu 1, Helsinki
Post address
P.O. Box 69
FI-00101 Helsinki
Sari Arho-Havrén
+852 6895 5221
sari.arhohavren@tekes.fi