(EnergyAsia, June 25, Thursday) – US specialty chemicals company Dow Chemical Company said it has launched a new business and innovation hub in Shanghai, China to serve the Asia Pacific region.

Occupying more than 100,000 square meters, Dow said the Shanghai Dow Centre houses a state-of-the-art research and development facility and the company’s headquarters for the Asia Pacific region.

Chairman and CEO Andrew .N Liveris said: “The Shanghai Dow Centre is more than just a critical milestone in China, which is our third largest market. Along with our recent acquisition of Rohm and Haas, this is a demonstration of our continued commitment to transforming into the New Dow – a more market-facing and customer-oriented company.”

With over 500 engineers and scientists working in more than 80 labs, the centre will develop innovative solutions for the constructions, transportation, energy, water, electronics and personal care industries.

Dow said the centre would bring together under one roof, corporate research and development expertise with its market-focused application development capabilities – an integration that delivers products and solutions across markets, technologies and molecules. This is an arrangement that is a first for Dow.

“Launching the Shanghai Dow Centre is a great way to celebrate 30 years of Dow in China,” said Jim McIlvenny, Dow’s senior vice president of emerging economies. “While the economic environment continues to be challenging, we have great faith in the future of China. Indeed, this new centre speaks well to our long-term commitment to use innovation to support the growth of China and the Asia Pacific region as a whole.”

The company said the research and development facility has a customer innovation centre that would enable Dow to work alongside customers to turn market opportunities and new ideas into profitable solution.

The centre enables scientists to develop innovations that lead to more energy efficient buildings, improved safety and fuel consumption in automobiles, broader access to clean water, and the newest breakthroughs in electronics and appliances, delivering solutions to world challenges.