Over the years, Elkem Silicones has continuously enhanced the important position of the Asia-Pacific market with China as the core in the global strategic layout. Recently, its Asia-Pacific flagship R&D center was officially established and put into operation in Shanghai. This center will become one of the key pillars of Elkem Silicones’ global R&D network to meet the growing demand for advanced silicone products and technologies in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Thanks to China’s excellent business environment, Elkem Silicones has grown rapidly in China. We continue to invest in China, expand our innovation and research layout, and adhere to the commitment of ‘In China, For China’. The establishment of the Asia-Pacific flagship R&D center will provide strong support for the growth of China and the entire Asia-Pacific market. We will continue to uphold the customeroriented principle, empower customers with a more excellent regional service network, unleash innovation vitality, and accelerate performance improvement.” said Chen Yan, Vice President of Elkem Silicones and Deputy General Manager of the Asia-Pacific region.
Currently, Elkem Silicones operates 14 comprehensive production bases and 14 R&D innovation centers worldwide. The expanded Asia-Pacific R&D center of Elkem Silicones was established in 2009, and has, through continuous investment and reliance on the rapid development of the Asia-Pacific market, developed worldleading R&D capabilities on silicone technology. The center was once awarded titles such as “Shanghai Enterprise Technology Center”, “Shanghai Foreign-invested R&D Center”, “Shanghai High-Tech Enterprise”, and “Little Giant Firm in Science and Technology”. After this round of expansion and upgrading, the system and equipment of scientific research in the Asia-Pacific flagship R&D center will be upgraded in all aspects on the basis of the original, further attract global talents, and stimulate innovation momentum. As a result, the company will be empowered to continuously achieve breakthroughs in key and core technologies and processes, accelerate sustainable development, and through which become the real “technology-based driving force” for the business development in Asia-Pacific region.
The expanded and upgraded Elkem Silicones Asia-Pacific flagship R&D center has established four application centers focusing on the development trends of key industries:
New Energy Vehicles Application Center: Developing high-performance silicone products for electrical and electronic components of hybrid and pure electric vehicles to enhance the safety performance and endurance of power batteries, and promote the electrification and lightweight development of the automotive industry.
Life Science Application Center: Developing silicone products for medical devices, biopharmaceuticals, as well as hair care, skin care, and cosmetics to meet increasingly stringent regulatory requirements and go with the increasing awareness of sustainable development.
Coating Application Center: Procuring silicone coating equipment and developing release agents, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and coating materials for automotive safety airbags to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of the technical textile market.
3D Printing Application Center: Expanding the potential development of silicone products, providing customized solutions for specific needs, and offering new product design, manufacturing, and means of supply for smart manufacturing.
With its commitment to the provision of advanced materials and the mission of shaping a better and more sustainable future, Elkem Silicones strives to become a top-tier enterprise in the global silicone industry. In the future, Elkem Silicones, by larger investment and ramp-up production in China, will continue to resonate with the Chinese market, taking the Asia-Pacific flagship R&D center as one of the sources of innovation and research. Together with its global R&D center, Elkem Silicones will serve the Asia-Pacific market with advanced silicone technologies and products to promote the green and high-quality development of the industry.