By Liz White, UT staffAichi Prefecture, Japan-DuPont Automotive Systems opened a $10-million laboratory in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on 1 Nov. "Our aim is to offer rapid responses to Japan-based customer needs for the latest coatings technology in any part of the world," said Marty McQuade, vice president and general manager for DuPont Automotive Systems, the company's automotive coatings unit, in a DuPont statement on the new facility. "DuPont is developing technology that will help its customers improve application productivity and environmental compliance as they meet rising consumer demands for improved vehicle paint aesthetics and long-term durability," McQuade added. The lab's aim is to help "technical services and approvals for automotive coatings used by Japanese auto manufacturers worldwide, and to support their home country assembly operations," said DuPont's statement The facility, which will employ about 30 scientists, is to be managed by DuPont and DuPont Shinto Automotive Systems, a joint venture between DuPont and Shinto Paint Co.DuPont's Aichi Coatings Laboratory will focus on developing and testing automotive OEM coatings to meet the requirements of Japanese auto manufacturers, the firm added. It will be part of DuPont's global network of automotive coatings laboratories, plants and technical centres in Asia, Europe and the Americas.Automotive coatings from DuPont cover a wide range of materials, including various polyurethane-based types. "
