Head of the company’s Polyurethanes Business Unit Peter Vanacker commented, "China accounts for more than 60% of global footwear production. In 2005, more than seven billion pairs of shoes were made in China, which is more than one pair of shoes for every person on the planet." He added, "The footwear industry has to be very closely aligned with changing fashion and lifestyle requirements. This requires very short development and response times, and, therefore, we see the need to be located close to both our customers and the market."

The centre will function as a technical backbone for BaySystems, the company’s global polyurethanes systems house network. It will focus on the development of new technologies and advanced materials, as well as the continued improvement of existing technologies.

Regional marketing director for BaySystems Molded Parts & Elastomers, Dr Thomas Braig, said, "With our polyurethane systems for footwear, we can contribute significantly to an efficient coverage of all major footwear segments: Safety, fashion and casual shoes, as well as active and sports shoes."

The centre is situated within the company’s Polymer Research and Development Centre located at the Jinqiao Industrial Processing Zone in Shanghai and is equipped with advanced footwear-related facilities including injection-moulding machines for both polyurethane and thermoplastic polyurethane applications, casting machines as well as a pre-polymer and polyol formulation pilot plant.

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