WILMINGTON, Del. – DuPont has opened a new research and development facility dedicated to coatings science at the company’s global research and development headquarters, which is called the Experimental Station. The new Coatings Technology Center (CTC), established by DuPont Performance Coatings, will focus on the DuPont Refinish Systems products that support the automotive collision industry, and DuPont Industrial Coating Solutions, which markets a wide range of liquid and powder industrial finishes.
“Innovation is essential to the continued growth of our coatings businesses,” said John McCool, president – DuPont Performance Coatings. “This investment in research and development clearly demonstrates our commitment to growing our global coatings businesses.”
The $30 million facility occupies approximately 100,000 square feet of laboratory, applications development and office space. The primary focus of the scientists and support staff at the CTC is strategic research and development aimed at creating new high-performance, sustainable coatings.
Scientists at the new facility explore new coatings formulations and perform studies aimed at improving paint durability under a variety of conditions such as high humidity and exposure to abrasive and corrosive environments. Water-based coatings, which dramatically reduce air emissions, will also be an area of focus.
“Locating this new facility at the Experimental Station allows us to leverage its unique and powerful base of scientific expertise and advanced research and development facilities,” said Lewis Manring, vice president, Global Technology – DuPont Performance Coatings. “This facility will operate unlike any previous DuPont coatings laboratory, with a strong focus on inclusive innovation.”
“The result will be a collaborative and efficient team focused on providing our customers with the finest coatings in the world and the technical support they need to use those products productively and profitably,” he added.
