Expansions: Perstorp opens specialty chemicals lab in Shanghai; B.I.G. Yarns invests in yarn production in Europe

Chemical firms Perstorp and BRB, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Malaysian company Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad, recently inaugurated a new innovation hub in Shanghai, China. It will support growth in the region by increasing technical support for customers with a specific focus on the Asian market.

The innovation hub will serve various market segments, such as Synthetic Lubricants, Thermal Management Fluids, Personal Care and Coating Solutions, as well as the existing Silicones and intermediates business.

The company adds it will allow faster response time to customers and combine technical expertise with a focus on product and application development as well as technical services, strengthening regional customer relationships with regional support. It is one of several planned initiatives in the region to enhance innovation capabilities along the value chain and to strengthen PCG’s position within specialty chemicals, it adds.

This is the latest of several application and development centers where PCG collaborates with customers to innovate new solutions.

In other news, manufacturer of PA, PP and PET carpet yarns for commercial, automotive, residential, and technical applications B.I.G. Yarns has invested EUR25 million in its French yarn production site. It includes the installation of BCF lines, enhancing the company’s expertise in one-step 3-ply yarns, allowing it to stay competitive in Europe where Middle Eastern/Asian suppliers are forging their products, too.

The development and production of 1-step 3-ply yarns using the latest technology also meets the need for flexibility and broader design possibilities in the carpet tile segment. The newly developed machine park is part of the firm’s growth strategy, ensuring a more energy-efficient, faster, and more flexible production system, it adds.

It will also enable smaller batch sizes and more adaptable production runs, the company says.

“At B.I.G. Yarns, we believe in the power of innovation and operation expertise to offer our customers best in class solutions,” said Emmanuel Colchen, General Manager at B.I.G. Yarns. “This investment underscores our long-term commitment to the European market and our ability to deliver superior and sustainable yarn solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

By continuing to also invest in Europe, B.I.G. Yarns says it is making a strong statement about its local entrenchment in a highly competitive industry.

While market pressure continues to grow from manufacturers in the Middle East and Asia, B.I.G. Yarns leverages its strategic location in Europe, within 500 km of its most important customers, to ensure faster delivery, closer collaboration, and service.

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