Christian Kullmann of Evonik Industries AG and Stan Hung of UMC were recognised for their longstanding contributions to Singapore’s economic development, advanced manufacturing, innovation, and talent development.
Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam conferred the Public Service Star (Distinguished Friends of Singapore) on Mr Christian Kullmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of Evonik Industries AG, and Mr Hung Chia-Tsung (Stan Hung), Chairman of United Microelectronics Corporation, during a ceremony held at the The Istana. The national honours recognised the two business leaders for their significant contributions to Singapore’s economic development through sustained investments, innovation, and industry partnerships.
The award ceremony was held at the Istana in Singapore as part of the Public Service Star (Distinguished Friends of Singapore) programme, an initiative introduced by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) in 1998 to recognise senior international business executives who have made outstanding contributions to Singapore’s economic growth. Between 1998 and 2025, the award has been presented to 53 business leaders, including Mr Kullmann and Mr Hung.
Source: EDB Singapore
EDB Chairman Mr Png Cheong Boon said the two recipients had overseen major investments that strengthened Singapore’s specialty chemicals and semiconductor industries while reinforcing the country’s position as a global hub for high-value manufacturing. He noted that the contributions of Evonik and UMC extended beyond capital investment to fostering innovation, developing future-ready talent, and enhancing Singapore’s economic resilience.
Under Mr Kullmann’s leadership, Evonik expanded its long-term presence in Singapore through significant investments in manufacturing and research and development. The company established its Asia Research Hub in Singapore in 2018 and subsequently broadened its research focus to include life sciences and skin sciences. Evonik also expanded its world-scale methionine production complex on Jurong Island in 2024 with lower-carbon technologies before opening its first Asian alkoxides production facility in Singapore in 2025. Mr Kullmann said the award reflected the dedication of Evonik’s employees in Singapore and described the company’s decades-long partnership with Singapore as one built on trust, stability, and shared ambition.
Mr Hung was recognised for leading UMC’s continued expansion of semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in Singapore. He championed the company’s S$6.7 billion investment in a new semiconductor fabrication facility, which became operational in 2025 and is expected to create approximately 700 new jobs while supporting advanced semiconductor technologies for communications, automotive, Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence applications. He also played a key role in strengthening local talent development through collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic to enhance engineering education and workforce development. Mr Hung said the recognition reflected the strong partnership between UMC and EDB in building Singapore’s semiconductor ecosystem and developing local capabilities.
Source: EDB Singapore
