GE Advanced sets up ADC in Bangalore

GE Advanced Materials, a global player in providing material solutions through silicone-based products and technology platforms, on Friday announced the setting up of its Application Development Centre (ADC) in Bangalore. This centre will be located inside the John F Welch Technology Centre, which is one of GE?s large research & development facilities.

GE's Advanced Materials Silicones business is represented in Europe, West Asia, Africa and India through a joint venture with GE Bayer Silicones, headquartered in Leverkuesen, Germany. GE Bayer Silicones India located in Bangalore is a major silicone solutions provider in the Indian subcontinent.

The Application Development Centre is aimed at helping GE Bayer Silicones' customers demonstrate product manufacturing and prototyping technologies using GE's silicone elastomer portfolio, used primarily for high voltage insulator applications.

The centre will employ a team of engineers and scientists who will help customers develop these products with design, development and prototyping support. These material solutions are used as a catalyst for innovation and technology advances in hundreds of consumer and industrial applications ranging from car engines to biomedical devices.

Said Wayne Hewett, president and CEO of GE Advanced Materials: "With the launch of the new Application Development Centre, we are betting big on India. The GE Advanced Materials business in India has recorded excellent growth rates over the past few years and we are ensuring that we continue to invest and scale up our capabilities to meet growing customer requirements."

He added that most recently, they invested in building a team here in India comprising 35 scientists and engineers to support R&D activities for Global Silicone Technology Programmes out of the GE India Technology Centre. "We will continue to make investments in a phased manner and in line with our vision of combining global technology with local application development, manufacturing and service capability," Hewett added.

Silicones are renowned as the "artificial flavour" for industrial sectors. With outstanding properties in electrical insulation, resistance to radiation, burning, corrosion and extremities in temperature, as well as biological compatibility, it is used in a wide range of daily applications and industries.

Industries served by GE Advanced Materials include aerospace, agriculture, appliances, automotive, construction, electronics, furniture and furnishings, healthcare, home care, industrial, lighting, packaging, personal care, plastics, semiconductor, telecommunications, tyre, transportation and water purification.

Added V P Nalian, MD, GE Bayer Silicones India: "We are targetting to continue growing the silicones? business by offering stronger application development and service support. This new centre will support our customers for high voltage insulator applications in the electrical transmission and distribution segment by replacing the conventional products with energy efficient products."

The Bangalore centre will work closely with GE Advanced Materials? other global application development centres in Leverkuesen and Shanghai to offer comprehensive support to customers in the Indian sub-continent & the West Asia markets.