THE WHAT? Henkel has cut the ribbon on its new Asia R&D center for Consumer Brands in Shanghai. The RMB100 million facility is the Schwarzkopf manufacturer’s largest in Asia.

THE DETAILS Spanning some 2,500 sqm, the new space is built on the design concept of innovation, digitalization and sustainability. It integrates six functional areas: consumer center, advance research, product development, packaging design, chemical and physical analysis and product evaluation.

THE WHY? It’s hoped that the center will attract top scientific talent and bolster local R&D capabilities in both Hair and Laundry & Home Care, contributing to agile producyt innovations based on local consumer habits and insights across 11 markets in Asia, Henkel revealed in a statement.

David Tung, Regional President of Henkel Consumer Brands Asia, comments, “This investment represents a pivotal milestone as the first Asia-based R&D center supporting product development and ingredient formulation for both business categories. Leveraging unique research synergies, the center is set to shape our portfolio for higher growth, adding substantial value to the Asian market and propelling Henkel Consumer Brands to new heights.”