The surface treatment global business unit of BASF’s coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, opened its first regional innovation and technology center for applied surface treatment technology in Shanghai, China. According to the company, the new 2,600-square-meter center will focus on developing advanced surface treatment solutions and product innovations for a wide range of industries and market segments in Asia.
“This new center’s ability to develop customized surface treatment solutions closer to the market will further underpin our technology leadership and our customers’ success,” said Jeffrey Lou, president and chairman, BASF Greater China.
Equipped with multiple technical capabilities and operated by a highly experienced technology team, the new laboratories can provide anarray of tests and services including analytical, application, salt spray and climate testing as well as development work on a variety of applied surface treatment technologies and applications for various market segments including but not limited to automotive OEM and components, coil, general industry, cold forming, aerospace, aluminum finishing and glass.
“As an integrated technical hub, it can harness the synergies and competencies within our existing global network, as well as our local surface treatment analytical labs in Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand, to better serve the rising market demand for innovative and sustainable solutions in Asia,” said Mubarik Chowdhry, head of global technology, surface treatment unit, coatings division, BASF.
The center also runs various simulation lines for pre-treatment and coating processes including VIANT, a new coating technology for corrosion protection.