Shell opens first research centre in China in Shanghai
Shell formally opened a new technology centre in Shanghai, China dedicated to research and development into lubricants and oils.
The new centre is located at Shanghai Zhangjiang High-Tech Par. The research work in this 8,600 sq m, nine storey building will cover a wide range of product applications including passenger car motor oils, motorcycle oils, heavy duty engine oils, transmission fluids, as well as industrial and speciality oils and greases. It will also cover oils for the shipping sector.
It will also provide hands on technical services to customers. Staff at the centre will also liaise with original equipment manufacturers and academic institutions in the region. Its laboratory facilities will enable the running of field trials, performance demonstrations and bench-testing.
The centre will focus on lubricant product development and application for China and the wider Asia region covering countries such as India, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
The centre will become a part of Shell’s network of lubricants laboratories, working closely with the other two centres, in Hamburg, Germany and Houston, USA. These are part of a wider 10 centre strong global network of Shell R&D centres.
Mr Matthias Bichsel, Shell’s Projects & Technology Director, said that “The Shanghai facility will proudly bring Shell’s technology leadership even closer to customers and partners in the region. Shell has long been at the forefront of lubricant science and technology. We recognise that better oils and greases can lead to energy savings and improved machine performance.”
Mr Mark Gainsborough, EVP of Shell Lubricants, said that “The new centre reflects the direction of the Shell Lubricants business today and the central role that China plays in its long-term growth strategy. We are well-positioned to meet the anticipated growth in demand in the region. Locating in Shanghai will help us work more closely with our customers and shape mutually beneficial collaborations.”
Mr Huibert Vigeveno, Executive Chairman of Shell Companies, China, said that “Shell wants to be the most competitive and innovative energy company in the world so it is natural for us to set up a key lubricants technology establishment in this ‘innovation incubator’. We will be able to explore competitively advantaged technology solutions for business growth and we can establish a forum for technical collaboration with original equipment manufacturers and research institutes in China. We aim to be able to attract the best talent in China.”
Source - Strategic Research Institute