Singapore's widespread adoption of Industry 4.0 means updated regulations could be required to cater to the changing needs of the sector, new research has found.

CBRE's Viewpoint report, The Changing Face of the Industrialist, indicates more firms have stepped away from traditional manufacturing, instead moving towards more research-intensive and service-driven activities.

While the firm notes swift revisions have been to use quantum controls over the years, the 60-40 Industrial Ancillary rule, which stipulates that up to 40 per cent of gross floor area (GFA) in industrial buildings can be used for ancillary purposes, continues to preside over industrial land zoning.

According to CBRE, the "vastly evolved" needs of businesses had created a need for industrial space guidelines to keep up with the accelerating pace of change.

"While industrial land should remain inherently of industrial use, relaxed zoning guidelines could be further explored in new districts," the report reads.

Source: CBRE Research

"Alternatively, the availability of vacant total industrial stock, inclusive of islandwide factory, warehouse and business park developments - standing at 56.96 million square metres as of Q2 2020 - could provide opportunities to test-bed flexible industrial zoning guidelines."

Click here to download a copy of the report.

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