On the eve of the opening of the 2016 China International Plastics and Rubber Industry Exhibition (hereinafter referred to as "2016 Chinaplas"), Solvay held a grand press conference. As a multinational company, the presence of all-China executives at the press conference and joining Solvay for less than two years attracted great attention from the reporters present.
"China is a very important market. For Solvay, we will further enhance our business in the Chinese market. We will use the Chinese team to build the Chinese market." Solva executives said.
In fact, the frequent absorption of Chinese talents to achieve localization of talents is just a microcosm of the acceleration of the localization of China by this well-known global chemical group.
Established in 1863, Solvay Group is now the second largest company in Belgium and ranked among the top ten chemical companies in Europe. At present, Solvay has nearly 30,000 employees in 53 countries and regions around the world. In 2015, Solvay achieved net sales of 12.4 billion euros, 90% of which came from its top three global businesses.
For the purpose of vigorously exploring the Chinese market, Rhodia started business in China through its predecessor, Rona Planck, in the 1970s, and by the end of 2002 had invested more than 300 million US dollars in China. In 1994 Solvay entered the Chinese market and established Solvay Investment Co., Ltd. to start business.
In 2015, Solvay's net sales in China reached 9.96 billion yuan. Currently, Solvay has 18 production bases and 4 research and innovation centers in China.
So, what are the “secrets” that Solvay has been growing in China? What actions does Solvay have in the Chinese market next? Peter Browning, General Manager of Solvay Engineering Plastics Division, has entered Solvay for nearly 20 years and has witnessed Solvay's growth in the Chinese market. During the 2016 Chinaplas exhibition, Solvay Engineering Plastics general manager Peter Browning accepted an exclusive interview with New Materials Online.
Opened Shanghai Application Testing Lab to quickly respond to Chinese customer needs
At the 2016 Chinaplas, Solvay released a number of new products and strategic cooperation, including Technyl®, and massive amounts of information came to the fore. However, in Peter Browning's view, Solvay opened the Shanghai Application Testing Laboratory.
"We have invested millions of dollars in this parts testing center, and we have reinvested the parts testing services we did with our customers in the parts development process from the European part to China," said Peter Browning.
Talking about why an application testing laboratory should be set up in Shanghai, Peter Browning explained, "We found that some of our Chinese customers are becoming more interested in and more innovative applications. Here is an example, such as a car engine At present, Chinese customers are increasingly looking to convert from metal parts to plastic parts to adapt to the current development. They need localized testing, which is why we invest in test centers. "
It is reported that the first phase of investment in the laboratory will be completed by the end of this year. Application test equipment for metal replacement will be deployed first, and then application testing capabilities in areas such as thermal management and fluid barriers will be gradually established.
Shanghai Application Testing Lab is also Solvay ’s first APT® center outside Europe, which will enhance Solvay ’s ability to respond to customer needs in China and Asia, thereby providing components for all levels in the region. Suppliers and OEMs provide better service.
Solvay has been continuously strengthening its R & D capabilities in the Asia Pacific region. As early as 2013, Solvay built a five-story "Songting" R & D center building in Shanghai, and the laboratory of the plastic parts testing center will also become part of Solvay's R & D center.
In fact, the establishment of the Shanghai Application Testing Laboratory also shows that the Chinese market is becoming one of Solvay's development priorities. This was also answered affirmatively by Peter Browning. "China is the largest market for Solvay's engineering plastics business from a single country perspective. We have made a lot of investment in China and we will continue to increase investment in China."
Market demand will drive 3D printing costs to fall rapidly
The 2016 Chinaplas Solvay booth, occupying nearly a third of the 3D printing materials area, is enough to convey Solvay's determination to develop 3D printing materials.
3D printing is known as one of the greatest inventions of the 19th century, and it has developed rapidly in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronic equipment industries.
According to statistics, the size of the global 3D printing market has steadily increased in 2015, and has exceeded 50 billion. And it is expected that the global 3D printing market size will reach USD 1.5 trillion in 2020. As an important part of the 3D printing industry chain, 3D printing materials will also usher in a huge market prospect.
At the same time, it cannot be ignored that although the development prospects of 3D printing are optimistic for all sectors, as a new industry, 3D printing still faces problems such as material shortage, overpriced, and immature applications.
"Solvay has spent 10 years in the development of 3D printing, but currently this technology is still too expensive for mass production." Peter Browning said.
As a trend maker in the field of 3D printing, Solvay has turned the practical application of 3D printing into the automotive industry into a reality. Engineering plastics can replace traditional metal materials, and achieve metal replacement in various automotive parts such as engine peripheral parts, door handle kits, brake pedals, etc., and finally solve the problem of lightweight vehicles.
"3D printing is currently mainly used in rapid prototyping and small-scale mass production, but our cost can quickly fall after the volume is increased. Like all new technologies, our goal is how to promote and promote market demand as quickly as possible Pulling down our production costs, market demand will drive our costs down. According to our prediction, the small parts currently made by injection molding may reflect the competitiveness of 3D printing in one to two years, It may take up to five years for the components to be competitive, "said Peter Browning.
At present, the key constraint that hinders the mass production and application of 3D printing is cost. Peter Browning believes that market driving forces will help rapid cost decline.
Peter Browning is very optimistic about the market development prospects of 3D printing. In his view, the largest market for 3D printing is still aerospace, and the largest market in the future will be the aftermarket and the automotive industry.