Royal DSM N.V., the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, today opened its China Science and Technology Center as testament to the company’s long-term commitment to growth in China. The opening marks a new stage in the development of DSM in China, where the company has already been doing business for nearly 50 years. DSM is developing into a company with a local approach in both the Chinese and Asian markets and is proud to contribute to China’s development in innovation and sustainability.
The DSM China Science and Technology Center in Shanghai will be the company’s main innovation base in China and will form a vital part of DSM’s global science and technology innovation network. On the grounds of the original DSM China R&D Center, the new Science and Technology Center integrates research and application technology activities in the areas of materials sciences, chemistry and biotechnology. Along with the DSM China Innovation Center, the new Center shows the full scale of DSM’s innovation capabilities in both science and technology, as well as advanced business development and the shaping of new ventures.
Therefore, in addition to carrying out product and applications research and development work, the Center will drive DSM’s development in China in several additional ways: by exploring and tracking market trends; by proactively responding to the needs of customers; and through interaction with the external knowledge infrastructure, such as partners at universities, scientific research institutes and industries. In addition to the further development of Life Sciences and Materials Sciences, the Center will exploit the innovation synergy at the crossroads of Life Sciences and Materials Sciences to provide high-quality, innovative solutions to a wide variety of needs in health, nutrition and materials.
Located on the DSM China Campus in Shanghai, the Center has more than 100 staff around a range of competencies at the forefront of science and technology in the area of Life Sciences and Materials Sciences. DSM is setting up a strong team of local innovation functions for the development of new business, based on new technologies and enhanced through cooperation with external partners or the acquisition of companies.
“DSM began its long-term growth in China through technology licencing activities in the 1960s. Today, with the opening of the DSM China Science and Technology Center, DSM enters a new era,” said Marcel Wubbolts, DSM Chief Technology Officer. He further commented: “As part of DSM’s Science Network, the additional science and innovation competencies will serve our Life Sciences and Materials Sciences business. The Shanghai Center enables us to operate as ONE DSM in China, building on our existing local capabilities in manufacturing, science, marketing and sales. The Center gives us the opportunity to better integrate with China’s science and technology communities and to be embedded in the Chinese business value chain. It therefore fits perfectly with the combination of innovation and high growth economies, two key growth drivers of the corporate strategy ‘DSM in Motion: Driving Focused Growth’.”
With a strong belief in open innovation, DSM is active in establishing partnerships in innovation in China and its partners range from research institutions to innovative companies. The China R&D Center of the recent JV by DSM and SinoChem, DSM SinoChem Pharmaceuticals, is a key family member of the newly established Bio-technology Center in the DSM China Science and Technology Center. The partnership will provide the new joint venture with the technology needed to exploit innovations to the fullest.
Dr Weiming Jiang, President of DSM China, commented: “DSM’s new profile with the DSM China Science and Technology Center in China is a long-term and comprehensive commitment to China. Science and innovation is the fundamental winning factor for a company. The success of DSM in China could not exist without science and innovation. It also echoes the key elements of innovation and sustainable development addressed in China’s 12th five-year plan. With added innovation competence, the company is able to work together with our local partners to build up a healthy industry eco-system and embrace a bright future in China.”
