Solvay has opened a new Research & Innovation center in Singapore, which will be the group's core innovation ground for its Consumer Chemicals growth engine in the Asia-Pacific region.
Located in Singapore's Biopolis research hub, the 1,100 m2 laboratory will lead worldwide innovation projects primarily for Solvay's business unit Novecare, which is active in the fields of home and personal care, coatings and oil and gas. It will also be a regional hub in developing sustainable solutions for the agrochemical business and provide technical support to Solvay's regional customers as well as plants in the region.
"Singapore has undergone an important transformation in recent years and is now established as a key knowledge and innovation hub in the Asia Pacific region," said Pierre-Franck Valentin, VP and general manager of Solvay Novecare Asia Pacific. "Basing one of our global research and innovation center in Singapore will allow us to benefit from the country's research capabilities, ready infrastructure and strong intellectual property protection.".\
Solvay, which received strong support from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), invested close to €2 million in the laboratory and expects to invest another €5 million in the next five years to boost the laboratory's capabilities, including the hiring of an extra 30 researchers. The laboratory is Solvay's latest investment in Singapore after Novecare, announced in April 2013 the construction of a large scale alkoxylation facility.
