Arkema expands Shanghai R&D centre and builds electronics lab in Guangzhou
Arkema has opened an expansion of its R&D centre in Shanghai, adding around 20% more laboratory space. The French materials group is also building a new laboratory in Guangzhou focused on electronics and battery customers.
The Shanghai centre was originally established in 2011 as the Asia Technology Center of Bostik, Arkema’s adhesives business. Over the years, it has built up expertise in materials synthesis, formulation and application testing, according to a press release from Arkema. With the expansion, the centre will serve all of the group’s businesses, not only adhesives. Alongside the extra lab space, it gets new areas for collaboration with customers, including a showroom.
“China is Arkema’s second-largest market and one of the most dynamic innovation hubs worldwide. As industries and customers in China accelerate their R&D efforts, we must continue to strengthen our local capabilities to stay closely aligned with their evolving needs,” says Thierry Le Hénaff, Chairman and CEO of Arkema.
The Shanghai expansion is part of a broader build-out of Arkema’s R&D network in China. At its Changshu R&D centre, the company is modernising and scaling up its battery materials laboratory, and the next stage is due within two months. In Guangzhou, Arkema is building a laboratory dedicated to electronics and battery customers.
Arkema reported sales of around EUR 9.1 billion in 2025 and employs some 20,700 people in around 55 countries. The company has not disclosed the size of the investment in Shanghai or when the Guangzhou laboratory will open.
