Beyond Compliance: Why Sustainability Is Now Core to Construction Excellence
From solar panels to scrap management: inside TTJ Design and Engineering's strategy towards greener construction
As Singapore accelerates its push toward the Green Plan 2030 targets, construction firms are being challenged to rethink how they build, embracing smarter procurement, energy efficiency, and greener materials. One company leading by example is TTJ Design and Engineering, a homegrown specialist in steel structures with a growing reputation for innovation.
To find out how TTJ is integrating sustainability into its operations—not just to meet regulations but to stay ahead of them—we sat down with CEO Elavarasu Somasundaram, better known as Somu. From solar panels to scrap steel management, his practical approach offers a glimpse into how real change is taking root on the ground.
“Steel by itself is a sustainable material. Unlike concrete, it can be recycled and reused at the end of its lifecycle.” – Elavarasu Somasundaram (Somu), CEO, TTJ Design and Engineering
Why Steel Is Naturally Sustainable
TTJ’s core business in steel structures gives it a head start in sustainability. Steel is durable, long-lasting, and infinitely recyclable. It can be dismantled and reused without turning into landfill waste—unlike concrete, which often ends up as rubble.
Somu explains, “Steel is light in ratio compared to concrete. That means when you use it on top of a structure, your substructure can be lighter, reducing overall emissions.”
This versatility not only reduces environmental impact but also offers contractors greater flexibility during construction. Prefabricated steel components can be manufactured off-site and assembled quickly, minimising noise, dust, and disruption in urban areas. For TTJ, this has made steel an ideal material for both greenfield and brownfield developments, where space and time are limited. By embracing steel’s modular nature, TTJ can also reduce material wastage, shorten project timelines, and align more closely with sustainable building standards.
Measuring Sustainability: From EPDs to Emissions Targets
Somu notes a shift in industry expectations. Clients and consultants are increasingly asking for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)—a lifecycle assessment that tracks the environmental impact of steel from raw material to finished product. “Now people are specifying projects with EPD requirements. But not all steel mills can meet those low-emission targets—especially in Asia.” He explains.
This shift means contractors like TTJ must ask the right questions early, identifying whether projects require green steel and where to source it. The move from coal-based blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy is central to this transformation.
TTJ’s Own Sustainability Journey
The company hasn’t waited for regulations to catch up. In the past year, TTJ installed solar panels at both its Singapore and Malaysia factories, cutting its carbon footprint and powering up to 50% of its steel production with renewable energy. “I benefit directly from solar. During peak hours, we generate more than we use. The excess is wheeled out to the grid,” continues Somu.
Other sustainability practices include monitoring electricity, water, and material waste across its operations, especially scrap steel, which TTJ minimises through careful procurement and planning. “If a project requires 8.5m of steel, I don’t want to buy a 12m beam and waste the rest. I order exactly what I need,” he adds.
Beyond the Factory: How TTJ Supports Greener Projects
While most of TTJ’s impact lies upstream in fabrication, Somu emphasises the importance of collaboration. He works closely with consultants, suppliers, and mills to ensure projects meet sustainability targets. But he also sees gaps.
“There’s a lack of awareness about how CO₂ emission thresholds affect cost. If clients want a steel material with emission of 500kg CO₂eq (kilogram of carbon dioxide equivalent) per tonne of steel, that’s a premium material.”
This awareness, he notes, is starting to spread beyond data centres—where TTJ first encountered stringent green specs a decade ago from American consultants—to mainstream commercial and infrastructure projects in Singapore.
What’s Next: Automation, Monitoring, and Education
Looking ahead, TTJ is expanding its use of automated CNC machines to reduce manpower dependency and enhance precision. It’s also strengthening internal systems to monitor water usage, material waste, and emissions. Somu remains optimistic—but realistic—about what lies ahead. “The shift to sustainability is real, but we still need better education, especially about cost implications,” he says.
He encourages other contractors to begin with practical steps like waste reduction, smarter procurement, and automation—areas that can make a tangible impact without driving up costs. “Minimise the wastage. Try to reuse or recycle it wherever possible. That’s where you start,” advises Somu.
Conclusion: Sustainability as Standard, Not Slogan
From viewing sustainability as a compliance burden to embracing it as a measure of operational excellence, firms like TTJ prove that going green is not a leap, but a series of deliberate steps that any contractor can take. The question isn’t if we should build green, but how soon we’re willing to step up. At SCAL, we’re committed to supporting the industry’s shift towards more sustainable practices.
Keep a lookout on our website for upcoming workshops, seminars, and resources to help you take the next step: https://www.scal.com.sg/scal-events