Qingdao, Shandong – BASF and China’s leading household appliance maker Haier are opening up an innovation lab for polyurethane-based products, said a joint statement on June 28.
Housed in the Haier Industrial Park in Qingdao, Shandong, the lab will engage in research targeting hot water boilers and other appliances, conduct overseas tests and quality control as well as provide training for employees of both companies.
“BASF will bring to the table its expertise in material innovations and competences,” said Manfred Pawlowski, Vice President, Consumer, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF. “Haier can help us better understand market needs by sharing technical knowledge about advanced technologies in home appliances.”
The new lab will be equipped with heat conductivity coefficient screening instruments, water quantity controller, viscosity detector, universal tester, foam cutting machines, high accuracy electronic scales and an explosion-proof blender.
“The collaboration will be instrumental in enhancing various quality parameters of polyurethane products in order to meet the ever-demanding consumer need for energy saving, yet efficient, home appliances,” said Wang Jingchun, manufacturing director of Haier’s Zhongyi plant.