ST. PAUL, Minn. -- 3M has announced plans to build a new facility in Singapore to produce coatings for film-based products used in commercial, electronic and automotive applications. The company hopes to better serve the Asian market and accelerate growth in the region by establishing a local film coating center of excellence.

“This investment brings us closer to our customers and creates a regional source of supply, which significantly simplifies our supply chain and helps us respond more quickly to our customers’ needs in the fast-growing Asia market,” said Kevin Kuck, vice president, 3M film manufacturing.

Construction on the new facility, which will be located in the Tuas Industrial Park, will begin in the second quarter of this year and is expected to be completed in 2009. 3M operations already in Singapore include a customer innovation center and the 3M Woodlands facility, which manufactures flex circuits and electronic adhesives.

For more information about 3M, visit: www.3M.com.