HKPC’s Innovative Projects Excel in 2026 R&D 100 Awards Three Groundbreaking R&D Projects Recognised on the Global Stage

(Hong Kong, 13 August 2026) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has made a remarkable impact on the global stage with its innovative R&D achievements. In the 2026 R&D 100 Awards, known as the "Oscars of Innovation", HKPC’s permanent carbon-sequestering concrete block technology, CarbonLock Blocks, not only won a place in the prestigious R&D 100 Awards but secured the Silver Award in the "Special Recognition: Green Tech" category. Additionally, the water tank cleaning robot Tank Genie and the intelligent multi-modal robot for high-risk pipeline inspection PipeX have successfully advanced to the finallists in the main competition. These achievements have earned international recognition from a prestigious authority, underscoring HKPC's leadership in driving research and innovation, green development, and industry transformation.

Mr Mohamed BUTT, Executive Director of HKPC, said, “HKPC has once again been recognised at the R&D 100 Awards, with three projects reaching the finalist stage and one of them further earning the Silver Award in the “Special Recognition: Green Tech” category. This achievement is a strong testament to our R&D capabilities in innovation and green technology, while showcasing the excellence of Hong Kong's innovation and technology talent on the global stage. The award-winning and finalist projects all address real industry challenges and provide innovative solutions to support smarter and more sustainable business development. HKPC will continue to align with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan and the HKSAR Government's development strategies, accelerating the commercialisation and real-world application of research and innovation results. We remain committed to supporting Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology centre, while contributing to the country's high-quality development.”

CarbonLock Blocks: Permanent Carbon Sequestration and Low-Carbon Building Innovation Driving the Construction Industry Toward Net-Zero Transition 
Jointly developed by HKPC and CS Tech Solution Limited, CarbonLock Blocks has been awarded the Silver Award in the “Special Recognition: Green Tech” category of the 2026 R&D 100 Awards. As the first permanent carbon-sequestering concrete block technology developed in Hong Kong, CarbonLock Blocks utilizes captured industrial CO₂ emissions permanently mineralising them within calcium-rich materials, transforming concrete into a long-term carbon storage solution. The blocks achieve CO₂ uptake equivalent to approximately 1% of their total mass, making them a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. At the same time, the technology effectively utilises biochar and reusable materials, promoting resource circularity and high-value applications while embodying circular economy principles.

Additionally, the technology incorporates two key innovations: the use of biochar as a carbon-sink material and AI-driven optimisation of mix-design parameters. For every 1 kg of biochar added, in addition to the concrete CO₂ uptake equivalent to approximately 1% of its total mass, it can further reduce carbon emissions by around 2 kg. AI-driven optimisation further reduces cement consumption while enhancing the overall material quality. CarbonLock Blocks offer a high-performance, low-carbon solution for the construction industry, supporting the transition toward net-zero emissions and sustainable development in Hong Kong and the surrounding regions.

Tank Genie: Water Tank Cleaning Robot Revolutionising Building Water Supply Maintenance 
Developed by HKPC in collaboration with VersaTech Energy Innovation Limited, Tank Genie is a water tank cleaning robot that provides a safe, efficient, and standardised solution to the challenges of traditional manual water tank cleaning in buildings. Designed specifically for the building environment in Hong Kong, Tank Genie features a compact and lightweight design, weighing approximately 12.5 kg, allowing it to easily pass through narrow tank entrances and be quickly deployed via cat ladders. Equipped with high-pressure water jet cleaning and real-time wastewater suction capabilities, the robot can effectively clean even the most confined and hard-to-reach water tanks. The solution has already been tested and validated in multiple commercial and residential buildings.

Tank Genie effectively eliminates the need for personnel to enter narrow water tanks, significantly reducing the occupational safety risks associated with confined-space work. At the same time, it enhances the consistency, traceability, and transparency of cleaning operations through standardised cleaning procedures, high-definition video recording, and digital documentation. In addition, the solution improves cleaning efficiency and maintenance flexibility, reduces operational costs, and ensures water quality safety.

PipeX: Smart Multi-modal Robot for High-risk Pipeline Inspection Driving Predictive Maintenance in Smart Infrastructure 
PipeX is jointly developed by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of the HKSAR Government, HKPC, and Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society. It is designed for routine inspection of metal piping systems in elevated, confined, and complex environments. To address issues such as corrosion, leakage, and potential structural degradation caused by long-term pipeline operation, PipeX can perform inspection tasks in environments that are difficult or hazardous for inspectors to access, thereby enhancing inspection efficiency and safety.

PipeX features an innovative transformable chassis design and magnetic-adhesion wheel sets with active demagnetization capability, enabling stable attachment to metal pipe surfaces while flexibly deforming to overcome obstacles such as flanges and various pipe fittings. By integrating AI-powered visual analytics and ultrasonic testing technology, PipeX supports multimodal inspection, simultaneously identifying surface conditions and internal integrity of pipelines. It provides high-precision wall thickness measurements and real-time video feedback, supporting remote operation and intelligent inspection analytics.

The R&D 100 Awards, organised by the internationally renowned magazine R&D World, is one of the most influential technology and innovation awards globally, attracting top research institutions and innovators from around the world each year. Under the rigorous evaluation of an independent panel of experts and amidst fierce competition, HKPC’s R&D projects have once again achieved outstanding results, demonstrating that Hong Kong’s scientific research and innovation capabilities remain at a world-leading level.

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In the 2026 R&D 100 Awards, known as the “Oscars of Innovation”, HKPC’s permanent carbon-sequestering concrete block technology, CarbonLock Blocks, not only won a place in the prestigious R&D 100 Awards but secured the Silver Award in the “Special Recognition: Green Tech” category.

HKPC’s water tank cleaning robot Tank Genie has successfully advanced to the final list of the awards.

PipeX is jointly developed by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of the HKSAR Government, HKPC, and Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, has successfully advanced to the final list of the awards.