Shell inaugurates first lubricant and oil research centre in China

Shell has formally opened its first lubricant and oil research facility in Shanghai, China. The Shanghai research centre becomes the company’s third facility which will focus on lubricants product development and its application for China and other countries such as India, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. The Shanghai centre will become a part of Shell’s network of lubricants laboratories, working closely with the other two centres, each located in Hamburg, Germany and Houston, USA respectively. These are part of a wider 10-centre strong global network of Shell R&D centres.

The research centre sprawls a good 92,500 sq ft and will cover a wide range of product applications which include passenger car motor oils (PCMOs), motorcycle oils (MCOs), heavy duty engine oils (HDEOs), transmission fluids, as well as industrial and speciality oils and greases. The research work will also cover oils for the shipping centre. The Shanghai facility will also provide technical services to the customers. Matthias Bichsel, Director, Shell Projects and Technology, says, “The Shanghai facility will bring Shell’s technology leadership even closer to customers and partners in the region. Shell has been at the forefront of lubricant science and technology. We recognise that better oils and greases can lead to energy savings and improved machine performance.”