BASF and Haier team up for innovation lab in China

German chemicals company BASF teams up with China-headquartered consumer electronics and home appliances company, Haier to develop a new Innovation Lab in Qingdao. The lab, housed within the Haier Industrial Park, will further strengthen innovation collaboration between the two companies. It will conduct joint research and development projects, as well as oversee tests and quality control of polyurethane-based home appliances, including hot water boilers.

The lab, located near Haier’s training centre for engineers, will also serve as a learning facility for both companies. It will provide theoretical and practical training, as well as act as a platform for technicians to share best practices and ideas for future projects. Both companies are expected to benefit from a holistic training programme to enhance material innovations and technology development, according to Manfred Pawlowski, Vice President, Consumer, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF.

The lab will house several instruments such as a heat conductivity coefficient screening instrument, water quantity controller, viscosity detector, and universal tester, foam cutting machine, high accuracy electronic scale, and explosion-proof blender to accommodate all quality aspects of polyurethane products.