Solvay to set up new application testing lab in Shanghai

Solvay Engineering Plastics, a global leader in polyamide-based performance materials, has announced plans to set up a part testing laboratory in Shanghai, China, to support the growth of its customers in the Asia region.

Starting end-2016, this first Application Performance Testing (APT) centre outside Europe aims at accelerating the development and validation of Technyl applications for the automotive, consumer and electrical markets.

“Our decision to create a dedicated facility in Shanghai will greatly enhance our ability to respond to our Chinese and Asian customers, thereby offering an optimum service to suppliers and OEMs active in the region,” says Peter Browning, general manager for Solvay Engineering Plastics. “This significant investment complements our state-of-the-art capabilities in Europe, enabling Solvay’s team to closely support Asian customers, who represent more than 40 percent of our business activity, in optimising the use of Technyl materials”.

APT Technyl Validation is an advanced high quality and flexible service which offers a wide scope of part testing to meet the most demanding industry standards. Most of Solvay’s bench tests are developed and customised in close collaboration with OEMs and major Tier 1 suppliers.

The company’s APT laboratory located at the Technyl Innovation Center (Lyon, France) includes an array of equipment to address metal replacement, thermal management and fluid barrier application parts testing. This notably includes coolant (glycol) and oil circulation, hydraulic testing for structural applications, oil separation, air pulsation (up to 230°C), vibration testing for temperatures ranging from -35°C to +180°C, etc.

Solvay’s new part testing laboratory in Shanghai will initially be equipped with installations dedicated to metal replacement applications. Progressively, the facility will be equipped with additional apparatus for testing thermal management and fluid barrier applications.

APT Technyl Validation is part of the comprehensive and advanced service offer from Solvay Engineering Plastics, which also includes unique CAE simulation capabilities with MMI Technyl Design and 3D printing with Sinterline Technyl Prototyping.