Evonik Meets Science China 2010: Inorganic-Polymeric Hybrid Materials

•  The sixth “Evonik Meets Science China” symposium held in Shanghai
•  Evonik offers numerous products and solutions for the hybrid materials

For the sixth time since 2004, Evonik Industries holds the “Evonik Meets Science China” symposium in Shanghai on September 9-10, with the theme “Inorganic-Polymeric Hybrid Materials”. Experts and professors in relevant area from over ten top universities and institutes in China, including Prof. Charles Han, Institute of Chemistry (CAS) and keynote speaker, Prof. Xiaosu Yi, Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials, will be on hand for two days’ technical presentations and in-depth discussions with the business and R&D managers from Evonik.

Recent technological breakthroughs and the desire for new functions generate enormous demand for novel materials. “Our innovative capacity is our strength. In the specialty chemicals sector in particular, a constant stream of demanding new products and applications is indispensable to ensure lasting success against the global competition. Therefore, sustainable knowledge exchange with academia is very helpful on our global open innovation process.” Dr. Thomas Haeberle, Board Member of Evonik Degussa GmbH, said during the opening speech.

Inorganic-polymeric hybrids materials can be expected that its characteristics are completely different either from that of the organic polymer or the inorganic material, and the possibilities of such hybrids are infinite. “Evonik perceives this technological megatrend with huge market potential. To leverage the research capability of Chinese outstanding scientists and Evonik’s leading technology, our market position could be fortified in the future.” said Dr. Jing Feng, Head of Innovation Management Greater China of Evonik Industries.

Hybrid materials represent one of the most fascinating developments in materials chemistry in recent years. Nowadays they are regularly used for lightweight materials with advanced mechanical properties, for example in the construction of all types of vehicles or sports equipment. In recognition of the market trends, Evonik has established the Automotive Industry Team (AIT) in 2004, focusing on the development of lightweight design for the automotive industries. Evonik also offers a broad range of products and solutions for the hybrid materials, including monomers and polymers, precipitated silicas and silanes, diverse metal oxides, coating additives, to name but a few.

Cooperation is always the key to success. Evonik therefore attaches great importance to keep the dialogues and cooperation with Chinese scientists. “Over the past years, we have built up a strong network between our company and Chinese scientific community, as it is also the driver for Evonik’s development in China. Close collaboration with both universities and customers across all stages of development also increase our innovation’s opportunities of success and shorten the development cycles,” said Dr. Dahai Yu, President of Evonik Greater China Region.

The global R&D network of Evonik’s Chemicals Business Areas comprises more than 35 locations with around 2,300 employees. Evonik has around 250 alliances with universities and scientific institutes worldwide. In 2009 we invested €10 million in joint research with universities, scientific and technical institutes and other companies.

Evonik Industries is the creative industrial group from Germany. In our core business of specialty chemicals, we are a global leader. In addition, Evonik is an expert in power generation from hard coal and renewable energies, and one of the largest private residential real estate companies in Germany. Our company’s performance is shaped by creativity, specialization, continuous self-renewal, and reliability. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In its fiscal year 2009 about 39,000 employees generated sales of about €13.1 billion and an operating profit (EBITDA) of about €2.0 billion.

Evonik Industries has been producing specialty chemical products in China since the early 1990’s; with wide-ranging trading relations already in place prior to this. The Group now has a total of 20 companies and 16 production sites in the Greater China region. Evonik regards China as one of the driving forces of the global economy, and we consequently intend to increase our business in Greater China to around €2 billion in the medium term.