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LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. -- Air Products
(NYSE: APD) has embarked on a major expansion of its China Technology
Center in Shanghai to support the fast-growing businesses in Asia. The
expanded center will further complement Air Products' regional technology
centers in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
The expansion, built on space adjoining the current facility, has a high
bay which is equipped with two high-pressure polyurethane machines and
accessory tools for both rigid and flexible applications that supplement
the existing shoe sole capability. Two spray booths, aqueous and non-aqueous,
will be used for spray coating development. The new space also features
a general-purpose lab with additional fume hoods, expanded chemicals storage
areas and associated office space to provide new application and product
development, technical services, process R&D and in-region analytical
to support all businesses including Gases, Performance Materials and Electronics.
The expansion of the China Technology Center will enable Air Products
to enhance its capabilities and material solution offerings, and bring
support closer to its key customers in Asia, particularly in sectors such
as polyurethane, coatings, inks, adhesives, civil engineering, personal
care, cleaning, mining, oil field and other industries. These markets
are growing at over 10 percent a year, and growth is expected to accelerate
as China continues to develop as a global manufacturing center.
"This latest step in strengthening our technology capabilities will
support our fast-growing businesses in China and across the Asia region,"said
Wilbur Mok, Air Products' Asia President. "Our new investment
in China will bring us closer to our customers throughout the region,
and increase the speed by which we create innovative solutions and value-added
offerings that address the specific requirements of local markets."
Bobby Chen, Air Products' Asia Technology Director, said the expansion
in Shanghai underscores Air Products' commitment to driving growth
through innovation. "Our Asian Technology Centers are fully integrated
into our global technology network," he said. "They complement
and support one another, with each center having specific market focus
in serving customers by leveraging the company's strength in material
and surface sciences, analytical technology, application and engineering
excellence."
The company has also recently upgraded its Electronics technology capabilities
in Korea and Taiwan, and Performance Materials technology capabilities
in Japan. The Electronics and Performance Materials business is one of
Air Products' four global business divisions.
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology
and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric
gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment
and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions
in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen,
home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings
and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational
excellence and commitment to safety and the environment and is listed
in the Dow Jones Sustainability and FTSE4Good Indices. The company has
annual revenues of $9 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and over
20,000 employees around the globe.
Source: Air Products
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