Solvay Engineering Plastics (Brussels / Belgium; www.solvay.com) is setting up a dedicated laboratory in Shanghai / China, to optimise the use of its “Technyl” high-performance polymer for Asian customers. From the end of 2016, Solvay’s Application Performance Testing (APT) centre, its first outside Europe, aims to accelerate the development and validation of “Technyl” applications for automotive, consumer and electrical markets.

The laboratory will initially house equipment dedicated to metal replacement applications. Progressively, the facility will be equipped with additional machines for testing thermal management and fluid barrier applications. The company said its APT “Technyl” validation service offers a wide scope for testing parts to meet the most demanding industry standards, adding that most of its bench tests were developed and customised in close collaboration with OEMs and major Tier 1 suppliers.

Solvay’s existing APT centre in Lyon / France, includes various machines to test parts for metal replacement, thermal management and fluid barrier applications. This includes coolant (glycol) and oil circulation, hydraulic testing for structural applications, oil separation, air pulsation (up to 230 °C), and vibration testing for temperatures from -35 °C to +180 °C.

Peter Browning, general manager for Solvay Engineering Plastics, said the significant investment in the Shanghai facility would greatly enhance the group's ability to respond to its Asian customers who represent more than 40% of the company’s business activity.