SHANGHAI – Chinese viscose fibre giant Sateri has launched a new state of the art US$48m R&D centre in Rizhao, Shandong, China, the home of the company’s 20,000 ton per annum Lyocell production facility. The new facility will feature an additional 5,000 ton per annum Lyocell production line dedicated for pilot trials, and other state-of-the-art equipment imported from the USA and Austria.
The centre’s activities will focus initially on laboratory tests for pulp selection, new and differentiated fibre product development, and quality and productivity improvements in Lyocell production. The centre is also poised to explore next-generation textile fibre solutions and other related downstream innovation in the near future.
About 150 staff members will be involved in the new facility’s work. These include R&D scientists, professionals with material science and chemical engineering expertise, and specialists in fibre technical, production and operations.
Tu Jian Zhong, head of the centre, said: “My team and I are proud to be part of Sateri’s first major R&D Innovation Centre that consolidates our various competencies in one location. This facility will be the lynchpin of our innovation efforts. We are eager to achieve breakthroughs that will not only enhance Sateri’s existing products but also advance solutions in alternative cellulosic feedstock and closed-loop manufacturing. The company’s investment in this centre is founded on a strong culture of continuous improvement and part of its long-term commitment to create value.”
Sateri is part of the RGE group of companies which has committed to investing US$200m to advance next-generation textile fibre innovation and technology. In addition to Lyocell, Sateri’s other products introduced this year include FINEX, made from recycled textile waste, and StretchCosy in partnership with DuPont Sorona.