Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania-Air Products has expanded its Shanghai technical centre to support fast-growing businesses in Asia such as footwear and coatings, and has specifically added equipment for polyurethane investigations.
This centre complements Air Products' regional technology centers in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, the group said in a 15 March announcement.
Air Products said that the expansion, on space next to the current facility, has a high bay with two high-pressure polyurethane machines and accessory tools for both rigid and flexible applications that supplement the existing shoe-sole capability.
Also, the new unit has two spray booths, for spray coating development with aqueous and non-aqueous systems. A general-purpose lab will allow new application and product development, technical services, process R&D and in-region analytical services to support all of Air Products businesses, which includes gases, performance materials and electronics, the company added.
"This latest step in strengthening our technology capabilities will support our fast-growing businesses in China and across the Asia region," said Wilbur Mok, Air Products' Asia president, in the statement.
Air Products said the expansion brings support closer to key customers in Asia, in sectors including polyurethanes coatings, inks, adhesives. "These markets are growing at over 10 percent a year, and growth is expected to accelerate as China continues to develop as a global manufacturing centre," said the statement.
Bobby Chen, Air Products' Asia Technology director, pointed out that the Asian Technology Centers are, "fully integrated into our global technology network. … "They complement and support one another, with each centre having specific market focus in serving customers."
The company also recently upgraded its Electronics technology capabilities in Korea and Taiwan, and Performance Materials technology capabilities in Japan. Air Products portfolio for the polyurethanes sector includes additives such as catalysts, surfactants and blocking agents as well as various prepolymers and blocking agents. (EPW)"
