FMC Corporation Opens New Asia Innovation Center in Shanghai

25 Jul 2014 --- FMC Corporation, a leading diversified chemical company, today officially opened its Asia Innovation Center in the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in the Pudong area of Shanghai, China. The new state-of-the-art facility serves as the company's hub for research and development, technical innovation, operational support and executive management in the Asia Pacific region.

FMC Corporation President, CEO and Chairman Pierre Brondeau (foreground) along with U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus, paint the eye of the lion to symbolize prosperity during the opening of the company's Asia Innovation Center in Shanghai. The new center features world-class laboratories for crop protection research and unique facilities designed to develop new ingredients used in the health and nutrition markets.

"FMC has grown dramatically in recent years. An important element of our strategy has been a greater focus and investment in Asia where our products and technologies have tremendous opportunities," said Pierre Brondeau, FMC president, CEO and chairman. "The FMC Asia Innovation Center represents our commitment to this important region and underscores our resolve to meet the growing—and often unique—technology needs of the diverse customers and markets we serve throughout the Asia Pacific region."

The nine-story FMC Asia Innovation Center is home to more than 180 FMC scientists, technicians, sales and marketing personnel, support staff, and executive leaders. It features world-class laboratories for crop protection research and unique facilities designed exclusively to develop new functional ingredients used in the health and nutrition markets.

"Our customers throughout the region are looking for the right technologies that will help make their businesses more effective and sustainable," said Bob Trogele, president, FMC Asia. "Whether it's new agricultural products to safely improve crop yield, naturally-derived functional ingredients to enhance food texture and stability, or the latest lithium products to improve battery performance, FMC has always answered the call for smart innovation that solves complex challenges. The FMC Asia Innovation Center elevates our research capabilities to a new level, and serves as a catalyst to strengthen customer intimacy and collaboration that FMC does so well."

According to Gordon Xu, president, FMC China, the new Asia Innovation Center will help the company attract and retain the best and brightest employees.

"Our success is built on an incredibly talented workforce. As we grow and expand our business in China and throughout the region, we need to demonstrate to our current and future employees that FMC is committed to investing in world-class facilities, the best research tools, and a first-class work environment that supports creativity and collaboration," Xu said. "We're proud that our new center has exceeded expectations for our company and our employees."

The FMC Asia Innovation Center is a state-of-the-art facility with 22,000 sq. meters of laboratories and office space with approximately 60 percent dedicated to R&D labs. FMC consolidated four sites in the Shanghai region to the new Center.