LyondellBasell is setting a new standard for customer-focused R&D at its Suzhou Technology & Innovation Hub in China
In today’s fast-evolving polymer market, innovation is about more than cutting-edge technologies. It’s about listening to customers, adapting to local market needs and delivering best solutions faster. That’s exactly what Suzhou is built to do.
Established in 2013 as LYB first Asia Pacific Technical Center for PP Compounds (now part of APS) and expanded in 2023 with a new Olefins & Polyolefins (O&P) Technical Center, Suzhou has become the Asia cornerstone of LYB global innovation network. Today, it houses both Advanced Polymer Solutions (APS) and O&P labs under one roof, creating powerful synergies in product development across automotive, electronics, packaging and infrastructure markets
Expanding capabilities to meet Asia’s needs
Suzhou’s latest investments include a new laboratory extrusion line, upgraded processing workshop and advanced testing and analysis equipment to strengthen compounding capabilities. These advancements enable more precise formulations, faster testing and greater responsiveness to customers in China and across Asia.
“Our customers in automotive, electronics and consumer goods are facing increasingly complex material challenges that demand both innovation and speed,” said Rolf van Beeck, vice president, APS APAC & AfMEI. “Our new equipment strengthens our ability to collaborate closely with customers and brand owners, delivering solutions that address their most demanding applications and bring their visions to the market faster”.
From EV megatrends to sustainable solutions
Suzhou is aligned with the region’s biggest market megatrends:
- Automotive & EV: lightweight plastic body panels, e-powertrain components and flame-retardant resins
- Consumer goods & E&E: advanced CMF (Color, Material, Finish) innovations and specialty polymers
- Sustainability: resins that support recyclability and lower environmental footprint
“The launch of the new lab line at Suzhou Technical Center, along with increased R&D investment in the APAC region, strengthens our ability to maintain our leading technical position in the market,” said Dr. Siqi Xue, senior manager, product and application development / STC Manager, APS APAC at LYB. “We are committed to innovating to meet customer needs and aligning our growth with market megatrends.”
Localized innovation, faster turnaround
Suzhou isn’t just a lab — it’s a partner. The hub provides:
- Product and application development for local customer needs
- Localized solutions: adapting global products for local supplies
- Application feasibility studies and collaborative pilot projects
- Faster customer support for packaging, transportation, healthcare, infrastructure, electric & electronics
These capabilities enable customers to bring products to market faster, with greater reliability and reduced costs.
Recognition and regional leadership
Earlier this year, the Suzhou Technical Center was awarded the title of “Foreign-Fund R&D Center” by the Suzhou municipal government, recognizing its innovation leadership.
The hub also reinforces LYB’s broader Asia Pacific innovation network, complementing recent lab expansion in Malaysia (Senai, Port Klang) and India (Vadodara), while working closely with global hubs in Cincinnati, Houston, Frankfurt and Ferrara.
A hub for the future
Looking ahead, Suzhou will continue to expand its role as a customer-first innovation hub in Asia. With new digital intelligence tools, expanded lab equipment, and a team of dedicated engineers, the hub is uniquely positioned to help customers respond to megatrends in electric mobility, electric & electronics and sustainability.
At its core, Suzhou reflects the LYB promise: solutions for a better tomorrow.
