Evonik expands global research and development with Asia research hub in Singapore

German specialty chemicals company Evonik opened its first research hub for resource efficiency topics in Singapore, internationalizing its research into the areas of functional surfaces and additive manufacturing. Furthermore, the new R&D hub will be the home for Evonik’s project house tissue engineering, which is under the leadership of Creavis, the strategic innovation unit of Evonik.

Overall the new hub in Singapore showcases Evonik’s strategic decision to expand the internationalization of its research and development activities.

“Innovation is an integral part of our growth strategy,” said Harald Schwager, deputy chairman of the board for Evonik Industries during the opening ceremony this week. “We are actively pursuing new opportunities to boost our international R&D activities and the opening of this research hub is a significant contribution to these efforts. By focusing on promising research areas for the future this hub will strengthen our position as a global leader in specialty chemicals.”

For Evonik, Singapore combines the best of two worlds: highly qualified researchers from leading science faculties and quick reaction times of local administration.

“This research hub is ideally located to drive innovation for our Resource Efficiency segment by developing forward-looking solutions and technologies for our clients in all global markets,” added Claus Rettig, chairman of the board of management, Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH. “With this new hub, we are taking advantage of a new approach to research: Enabling a creative environment for innovations and encouraging agile, flexible working.”

Located in Biopolis, the home for international and groundbreaking research in Singapore, the hub offers national and international professionals and graduates – spanning from engineers to scientists – a creative environment for innovative ideas in a highly interactive workplace. Talent from all over the world will be brought together to carry out pioneering R&D by integrating scientific and technological capabilities in a collaborative lab concept.

With the research hub, Evonik is expanding its collaboration with public and private research institutions and organizations. Evonik has formed a partnership with Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University to develop novel technologies in additive manufacturing for industrial application.

“Evonik has been present in Singapore for more than 20 years and our strong regional footprint has positioned us as a market leader in the specialty chemical industry, particularly in Asia,” said Peter Meinshausen, president of Evonik Asia Pacific South. “The research hub will not only reinforce our competitive position, but will also play a critical role in pioneering impactful innovations to address industry needs and challenges in and beyond this region in the years ahead.”