BASF opens Chemetall Innovation and Technology Center for surface technology in China
The global surface technology business unit of BASF's Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, has opened its first regional Innovation and Technology Center for applied surface technology in Shanghai, China.
The new 2,600-square-meter Chemetall Innovation and Technology Center for Surface Technology will develop advanced surface treatment solutions and product innovations for numerous industries and market segments - in Asia and for Asia. Equipped with extensive technical capabilities and operated by a highly experienced technology team, the new BASF laboratories offer a wide range of testing and services, including application, salt spray and climatic testing as well as analytical testing. In addition, various applied surface technologies and applications are also being developed for a range of market segments. These include automotive, coil, general industry, cold forming, aerospace, aluminum finishing and glass. The center also has several state-of-the-art simulation lines for pretreatment and coating. These include VIANT, an innovative, functional coating technology that enables higher-quality corrosion protection.
"The opening of this Innovation and Technology Center is an important pillar of our growth strategy and strengthens our technical capabilities and innovation in Asia Pacific. It demonstrates our commitment to supporting the long-term success of our customers in the fastest-growing region," said Christophe Cazabeau, senior vice president, Surface Treatment, Coatings Division, BASF. "Innovation is key to growth for BASF. In this center, we can develop tailored solutions around surface technology closer to the market. In this way, we further expand our technology leadership and contribute to the success of our customers," added Dr. Jeffrey Lou, Head of Greater China, BASF. "Our regional Innovation and Technology Center will enable us to shorten time-to-market for pioneering surface technology solutions, drive customer-focused product development and expand our innovation pipeline. As an integrated technical center, it can leverage the synergies and competencies within our existing global network as well as our local surface technology analysis laboratories in Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand to meet the growing demand in the Asian market with innovative and sustainable solutions," says Dr. Mubarik Chowdhry, Head of Global Technology, Surface Treatment, Coatings Division, BASF.