German-based Evonik Industries AG, one of the world’s leading specialty chemical companies, opened a new research and development center in Taiwan Feb. 15.
Known as the Advanced Project House, the center is located on the campus of Hsinchu County’s Industrial Research Institute and is the company’s first project house outside of Germany.
“With the APH in Taiwan, we aim to generate a link to the growing light and electronics industry in Asia,” said Patrik Wohlhauser, a member of Evonik’s executive board.
“ITRI is the best place to start, as it provides good infrastructure and a condensed know-how platform, as well as a local network,” said Michael Coelle, head of the project house, at its launching ceremony.
With a focus on light and electronics, the new project house will specialize in developing lighting, display, touch panel and photovoltaic materials, as well as light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, and functional coating products, according to the company.
In addition, a New Business Development function will soon be established to identify business opportunities in the electronics industry, starting with a focus on Taiwan, mainland China and South Korea, it added.
Evonik group is active in over 100 countries around the world, with 18 companies and 15 production sites in Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan. Between 2006 and 2010, the conglomerate invested 700 million euros (NT$27 billion) in Asia, sources said. (HZW)
Write to Kwangyin Liu at kwangyin.liu@mail.gio.gov.tw