Pune, April 2016 – DSM opened its research and technology centre for engineering plastics in India on April 19, April 2016 at Ranjangaon, Pune. The new facility will support new product and application development and deliver rapid, specific test data for its products, allowing for close collaboration with DSM’s customers. “The launch of this new research centre is in line with DSM’s strategy to support and grow its business, not only with customers in India, but globally,” said Roeland Polet, President, DSM Engineering Plastics. “The capabilities now available to our customers in this facility enable us to reduce further the time to market for DSM innovations,” he added.

In the new centre DSM will be able to work closely with customers in supporting new product development using a wide variety of equipment for material and application testing, including injection molding, polymer characterisation, physical property testing, and thermal analysis. The centre is capable of providing test data for DSM’s wide portfolio of engineering plastics. Additional services include a laboratory-scale twin screw extruder for new product development and trial runs. The facility has further scope to grow and add new testing equipment and capabilities as required.

“This facility enables our employees to improve collaboration, allowing for quicker and more efficient ways to address our customers’ challenges. We currently have 15 people in research and technology based at the centre, which will grow to 40 in the next five years,” said Alexis Ponnouradjou, Global VP Research and Technology, DSM Engineering Plastics. “I am proud of this milestone. The new centre is a great asset to research and development which will aid us in supporting the needs of our customers in Pune and globally,” said Sanjay Jain, Business Director, DSM Engineering Plastics India. “This is our company’s next phase in India, moving from Make in India to Develop in India. Starting with 5,000 square feet, we have the capacity to expand to 20,000 square feet,” he added.

DSM is a major developer and global supplier of polyamide engineering plastics with a portfolio that includes Akulon® PA6 and PA66, Stanyl® PA46, ForTii®, and EcoPaXX®, a bio-based polyamide that is certified carbon neutral from cradle to gate. In addition DSM supplies Xytron™ PPS as well as thermoplastic polyesters Arnite® PBT and PET, and Arnitel® TPE for engineering applications. These materials are used in applications and products all over the world for the automotive, electrical and electronics, and food packaging industries.

DSM materials are used in applications and products all over the world; from connectors in electronics, surgical sutures and medical implants to heat-resistant plastic engine parts for the automotive industry, smart food packaging material, solar panel coatings and super-strong fibres in, for instance, cables. The materials need to be not only safe and superior in quality but also have a positive impact on people and the environment.