SHANGHAI - Corning Inc started its first joint venture laboratory on the Chinese mainland on Tuesday in partnership with a well-known ceramics institute in Shanghai.
"The joint research facility is aimed at exploring technologies to support the development of future Corning products that will address needs in China and worldwide," said Mark Newhouse, chief technology officer of Corning Asia.
The opening of the new laboratory, which came only several months after Newhouse took his position early this year, is indicative of Corning's determination to possess more technology and business-development resources in Asia.
The joint lab, a result of long-term cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, will provide Corning with a means of gaining access to the institute's expertise in materials science and technology, Newhouse said.
"The institute's technologies can be applied to developing new products through collaboration with Corning at the new laboratory," he said.
Over the past few decades, the institute has conducted much research on inorganic and non-metallic materials and become capable of applying fundamental research to innovation and the use of technology, said Luo Hongjie, director of the institute.
"The joint laboratory collaboration will establish a means of overcoming technical difficulties and help accelerate the growth of China's new energy industry," Luo said.
At the end of this year, the lab is to take on the researchers and equipment it must have to operate, said Shi Youchun, research manager and director of the Corning Research Center China.
"It will concentrate at the moment on conducting research into thermoelectric technology, which will be used in the automobile industry," Shi said.
"It's a long-term task. It will take at least five years to get the result."
Local insiders said the joint lab, which - along with labs in the United States and China's Taiwan Island - is one of the few started by Corning, is part of Corning's plan to gain a greater presence in the mainland market.
The high-performance materials it will test will aid in making electric-powered vehicles, leading to a more efficient use of fuel and reduced emissions.
"We are committed to working with local technology leaders to create knowledge for future products for use in China and other regions of the world," Newhouse said.
He said Corning has discussed the possibility of cooperating with multinational automobile makers on finding new uses for technology in vehicles. "We will also seek the opportunity of working with Chinese partners," he said.
Chen Lidong, deputy director of the institute, said the lab will conduct new research into non-metallic materials and lithium cells as the project proceeds. His words were echoed by Newhouse, who said Corning will continue investing in research and development to support its expansion in China.
