Home > Nanotechnology Columns > NanoGlobe > The Launch of Bayer Functional Films Research Centre in Singapore -- Targeting at Printed Electronics and Energy Market in the Asia Pacific
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Abstract:
Bayer's first research centre in Asia Pacific and outside Germany, Function Films Research Centre was officially launched on June 22nd 2010 at Golden Agri Plaza. This research centre represents an initial investment of approximately S$ 12 million (Euro 7 million) with further expansion of capability development in subsequent years. The newly launched research centre occupies 2200 square meters and has employed about 30 research scientist and engineers in phase one focusing on research in nanotechnology-enabled coating films and functional materials. Bayerwill double the current manpower capacity in phase two by 1st quarter of 2011. Mr Patrick Thomas, CEO of Bayer MaterialScience acknowledged in his opening speech the support of Singapore government especially EDB in facilitating partnerships and funding for R&D during the course of setting up the research centre. Dr Beh Swan Gin, Managing Director of Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) expressed his warm welcome of the Bayer's Functional Films Research Centre located in Singapore. By collaborating with a network of research organizations and business partners in Singapore and the rest of Asia Pacific region, this centre will undertake application R&D of innovative advanced materials including the multifunctional films, quantum dots, printable CNT / Ag nano inks and others.
July 2nd, 2010
The Launch of Bayer Functional Films Research Centre in Singapore -- Targeting at Printed Electronics and Energy Market in the Asia Pacific
On June 22nd 2010 at Golden Agri Plaza, key executives of Bayer MaterialScience and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) officially opened its new Functional Films Research Centre in Singapore, which is its first research center in Asia Pacific and outside Germany. Initial investment of S$ 12 million (Euro 7 million) to develop technological applications for future electronics, the Functional Films Research Centre with the full-scale facility for downstream research will focus on advanced coating films and nanotechnology to meet the growing demand of the electronics market in Asia Pacific.
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of healthcare, nutrition and advanced materials. Its presence in Singapore has been more than 4 decades since Bayer set up its business and technical services office in 1971. Currently there are over 300 employees working in Bayer (South East Asia) Pte Ltd, which is the regional administration hub for Bayer's operations in the Southeast Asia region covering all of its 3 Business Units - Healthcare, CropScience and MaterialScience. The newly launched Functional Films Centre occupies 2200 square meters and has about 30 employees including 10 scientists and 20 research engineers and officers. It will double the number of research staff in phase II by first quarter of 2011 and will have total of 20 research labs. Using self-developed material technologies, Bayer MaterialScience's Functional Films Research Centre will establish joint projects with collaboration partners to create advanced technological breakthroughs in electronics, including functional films that can be applied to flexible screens and three dimensional (3D) displays, and nanomaterials such as quantum dots and conductive inks used in flexible printed electronics or energy-efficient lighting technologies.
Speaking at the inauguration of the research centre, Mr. Patrick Thomas, CEO of Bayer MaterialScience AG (Germany) said, "The opening of this facility is a clear indication of our continued commitment to Singapore and its unique position as an economic and business hub for the Asian region. This confidence is underpinned by the fact that demand continues to grow for new and innovative film-based products. Much of the research and development for these new materials will be undertaken at this new centre. I would like to pay tribute to the government of Singapore and the EDB for its support in establishing the R&D facility." Mr. Thomas spoke highly of EDB for their understanding of Bayer's needs and the excellent R&D infrastructure in Singapore to foster collaboration in research communities. "There is no doubt in my mind that the EDB has played a significant role in creating Singapore's unique position in the region's economic hub. We acknowledge Singapore's continued strength as a centre of educational excellence, a source of talent which companies such Bayer can turn to with confidence, " Mr. Thomas added. "The opening of the Functional Films Research Centre today marks a new milestone for Bayer in Singapore and will add to the momentum of industrial research activities in our city state," remarked Dr Beh Swan Gin, Managing Director of Singapore Economic Development Board, at the official opening.
Since 2008, Functional Films of Bayer MaterialScience has been building up research resources and networks in the Asia Pacific region for customer-oriented developments, primarily in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The Functional Films Research Center in Singapore will play a key role in the functional films network that Bayer MaterialScience has been putting in place in the region for the past few years. Located at Singapore, it will have particularly strong links with Bayer's film manufacturing plant on Thailand's east coast. In addition, this Functional Films Research Centre has also been collaborating with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE). "By collaborating with a network of research organizations and business partners in Singapore and the whole of Asia Pacific, we will put to use the innovative ideas to fast-track products for tomorrow's markets like automotives, electronics and displays, "said Mr. Marcus Yim, Managing Director of Bayer South East Asia.
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| Mr. Patrick Thomas, CEO of Bayer MaterialScience AG is giving an opening speech at the inauguration of the Function Films Research Centre. |
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| Group photo of key executives of Bayer MaterialScience and the VIP guests. (left to right: Dr Christian Haessler, Head of Functional Films R&D Asia Pacific; Mr. Bernd Steinhilber, Head of Functional Films; Dr Beh Swan Gin, Managing Director of Singapore EDB; Mr. Patrick Thomas, CEO of Bayer MaterialScience AG; Mr Jörg Ranau, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore; Dr. Joachim Wolff, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer MaterialScience and Head of Business Unit Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties; Mr. Marcus Yim, the managing director of Bayer (South East Asia) Pte Ltd and Senior Bayer Representative - Country Group South ASEAN.) |
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