SINGAPORE - An affiliate of The Coca-Cola Company is partnering Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) to develop new technologies and innovations for consumers.

The agency signed a joint collaboration agreement with DP Beverages, it said on Tuesday.

Under the partnership, Coca-Cola will establish "external technology activities" in Singapore for "cutting-edge research in different areas", A*Star said in a statement.

The collaboration is aimed at helping Coca-Cola optimise its production processes and gain new insights into consumer needs and preferences. A*Star researchers will also benefit from greater experience in food research, the agency added.

"By providing opportunities for researchers at A*Star to embark on collaborations with Coca-Cola's R&D (research and development) centres globally, this partnership will also boost A*Star's research activities in food and nutrition research," it said.

Mr Lim Chuan Poh, A*Star's chairman, said: "A*Star has been rapidly growing our research in the area of food and nutrition over the past few years. We look forward to sharing our R&D expertise with one of the top food and beverage companies in the world."

Ms Nancy Quan, vice president and global research and development officer for Coca-Cola, said, "Through this partnership with A*Star, we can leverage their strong research capability to develop new products and technologies for our global consumers; as well as tap into their knowledge of Asian consumers to provide solutions for the dynamic and growing Asia/Pacific markets."