International Paint Completes Singapore Marine Laboratory

 

International Paint’s ongoing programme of investment in R&D continues with the opening of a new Marine Coatings product development laboratory in Singapore.

Formally opened by Bob Taylor, Managing Director of International Paint’s Marine and Protective Coatings Business Unit, the new laboratory will focus on the development of next-generation antifouling and foul-release technology.

“We believe that investment in R&D is critical to the long-term success of our customers and ourselves and the opening of this laboratory is the latest in a €20-million R&D investment programme that has seen us build a global network of Marine R&D centres across Asia, Europe and America,” Taylor said.

“Singapore is a major maritime hub, and by building our laboratory here and placing a key part of our R&D team here, we are able to build on the great opportunities that Singapore offers us. The commitment that the Singapore government has to the marine industry together with the extensive dry docking, anchorage and port facilities available here in Singapore offer unparalleled opportunities for our R&D team to get close to the shipping industry and understand the issues and challenges that face us all. This will give us a major advantage in developing value-added technologies and products for the marine market,” he said. 

The new laboratory will have 20 highly qualified chemists working in modern facilities with the latest equipment for measuring and assessing antifouling performance. "The waters around Singapore offer a severe fouling challenge and this will help us to significantly speed up our product development, something that we believe is key in being first to market with new technologies,” Taylor added.