MOSCOW (MRC) -- Germany-based specialty chemicals company Evonik is set to build its first research hub in Singapore and is expected to start operations in 2018, as per the company's press release.
Acting as the Asian platform for high impact R&D with a special focus on Functional Surfaces and Additive Manufacturing, the research hub will also serve as a leading hotspot for top local and international talents to develop a strong R&D ecosystem in the region. In its first development stage, the new complex will offer around 50 jobs at the location.
"The research hub in Singapore not only demonstrates our ongoing commitment to expand our R&D footprint in Asia but also reflects the growing significance of Asia in the global innovation landscape," said Dr. Claus Rettig, Chairman of the Board of Management, Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH.
As part of its development blueprint for R&D excellence, the research hub will constitute an agile team of scientists and researchers from domain specialties working in an environment that promotes creativity and collaboration while generating sustainable business growth. "We are also implementing a workplace strategy during the setup of the research hub to drive a dynamic and proactive workplace culture," added Peter Meinshausen, Regional President of Evonik Asia Pacific South. "This enables us to build Evonik’s global talent capital and attract top talents."
The development of the research hub is also supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), which has been the company’s strategic partner in facilitating and growing its presence in Singapore over the past years. “Evonik’s choice of Singapore as the location for this research hub is a statement of confidence in our research capability and availability of skilled talent,” said Dr. Beh Swan Gin, Chairman of EDB. "We look forward to partnering Evonik in this initiative, where one of the topics will be additive manufacturing, that will support Singapore’s efforts in advanced manufacturing as well as further strengthen Singapore’s position in R&D and technologies in Asia and globally."
The research hub will be situated in Biopolis, the centre for entrepreneurial and groundbreaking R&D activities in Singapore. Alongside with other public and private research institutions and organizations, Evonik will be able to leverage on the existing R&D value chain to make the research hub a fertile ground for synergies within and across the scientific research community moving forward.
As MRC wrote before, Evonik Resource Efficiency will invest in a capacity expansion of its performance foams business at its production site in Darmstadt, Germany. The investment will increase the output of the facility by about 20% as a first step. The Group will be adding production equipment to its operations complex that manufactures products marketed under the Rohacell brand. The expanded production capacity was expected to be operational by the second half of 2017.
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The focus on more specialty businesses, high innovative prowess and an encouraging and trustful corporate culture form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. They are the lever for profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company. Evonik benefits specifically from its customer proximity and leading market positions. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world with more than 36,000 employees. In fiscal 2016, the enterprise generated sales of around EUR12.7 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about EUR2.165 billion.