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Hexion Inc. (Columbus, Ohio, U.S.) has announced the completed construction of its new Application Development Center (ADC) in Shanghai as part of its global efforts to further strengthen its research and development and technical services capabilities. The new 4,800 square meter ADC will support new product development and customer collaboration to accelerate growth in waterborne coatings and composite applications.

“The new ADC is another example of our ongoing commitment to strategically invest in our R&D footprint to increase opportunities for innovation and stimulate growth,” says Craig A. Rogerson, chairman, president and CEO. “With commercial and R&D leaders working in closer proximity, we will leverage their diverse skills in a world-class technology setting ... the investment also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to incorporate sustainability principles into our R&D and product development initiatives.”

According to Rogerson, Hexion expects the new ADC to strengthen the company’s market leading position in China for wind energy applications by developing next-generation solutions based on EPIKOTE and EPIKURE epoxy systems. The ADC will also support further innovation based on Hexion’s EPIKOTE and EPONOL resin systems for automotive applications.

Other environmentally-focused solutions that are expected to further grow with support from the ADC include:

• NextGen Epoxy Waterborne system, offering coating performance comparable to solvent-borne systems while providing for lower volatile organic compounds
• Cardura glycidyl ester, for the production of waterborne and ultra-high solids acrylic polyol resins
• VeoVa vinyl esters, a range of specialty monomers enabling affordable resins for 1K isocyanate-free high-performance protective coatings.