Today Celanese announced the opening of its Houston Technology Center (HTC) for the emulsion polymers and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) businesses. The 31,200-square-foot facility, which will house both the R&D and technical services groups, includes both analytical and application testing laboratories for a wide range of industrial and consumer end-use products. The HTC is the newest addition to the businesses’ technology network, with additional locations in Frankfurt, Germany, and Shanghai, China. The HTC is also a result of the revitalization of the businesses’ technology group which was announced last year.
Commitment to Innovation in North America
Alongside various business leaders, Doug Madden, executive vice president of Celanese, explained during his opening ceremony address that technological advancements are vital components in the success of the company. “Our investment in the Houston Technology Center underscores the impact that technology and innovation have on our business, and emphasizes our continued commitment to our North American customers and the global markets they serve. Celanese invested in this state-of-the-art facility, and in the professionals who work here, to fulfill our goal of supplying high-performance products and innovative solutions to North America,” Madden said.
Rising to the Challenge
A tour of the new facility featured demonstrations of many pieces of analytical and application testing equipment. But, it was clear that the stars of the day were the chemists and technical staff. Dr. Barry Snyder, global technology director for Emulsions & PVOH, said, “Celanese has invested in more than just a new facility and lab equipment. We have invested in people with strong industry knowledge and technical expertise in the fields of paints and coatings, construction, papers, packaging films personal care, adhesives and nonwovens, to name a few, who can analyze the data and translate it into customer solutions.” The qualified staff includes a staff of chemists and chemical engineers with in-depth industry experience along many points in the value chain.
“Innovation is the key to not only meeting, but exceeding, customers’ needs and marketplace challenges,” Snyder said. Celanese has a long history of innovation and strong customer partnerships, including pioneering low-VOC architectural coatings more than a decade ago with a European paint manufacturer. The HTC will be instrumental in the continuing development of VAE and vinyl resins for the environmentally-friendly, low odor paint segment in North America. “Celanese Emulsions and PVOH has become the recognized industry leader by providing innovative solutions and delivering distinct competitive advantages to our customers’ products,” Snyder said.
The Houston Technology Center will also be the venue for joint Celanese and customer innovation sessions for new products. “We look forward to inviting customers to the HTC to discuss exciting new opportunities and projects for 2008 and beyond,” Snyder said.
About Celanese
As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE) makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.4 billion in 2007, with approximately 70% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,400 employees worldwide. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the company's website at www.celanese.com.
About the Emulsions & PVOH Businesses of Celanese
The Emulsions & PVOH businesses of Celanese are global leader in the development and application of polymer emulsion and PVOH technology to improve performance, create value and drive innovation in a broad range of industrial and consumer end-use applications including adhesives, coatings, engineered fabrics, glass fibers, paper, textiles and more.The businesses have 13 manufacturing facilities worldwide and are supported by expert technical service regionally. More information about the Emulsions & PVOH businesses of Celanese is available at www.celanese-emulsions.com and www.celvol.com.
For further information on this news release and the Emulsions & PVOH businesses of Celanese, please contact:
Tom Nicolay, Resource Advantage Group
e-mail: tnicolay@resourceadvantage.com
Phone : +1 973 882 1313
Website : www.resourceadvantage.com
Contacts:
Tom Nicolay, 973-882-1313
tnicolay@resourceadvantage.com
www.resourceadvantage.com
