Shell’s new technology centre in Shanghai, China will prove beneficial to heavy transport across the Asia-Pacific region
Australia is in line to see the fruits of Shell Lubricants’ new Shanghai technology centre’s labours.
Its newest technology centre opened in late March and is Shell’s third global centre dedicated to research and development for lubricants and oils, after those in Hamburg and Houston.
Research work is now underway which covers a wide range of product applications for the commercial vehicle industry including heavy-duty diesel engine oils, transmission fluids, as well as speciality oils and greases.
Owner//Driver was among the representatives of a Shell Global media event in June. The event included a media tour of the technology centre, one of the first groups to have access to the new laboratory.
According to Shell, lubricants for heavy-duty transportation are a fast growing and important business in the Asia Pacific region.
Shell says it has made significant investments in technology, research and development facilities and technical staff at Shell Shanghai Technology Centre to support technology innovation and new product development in this area.
This will enable enhanced collaboration and joint development programs with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and improve technical services for customers and OEM partners.
Players in this sector are looking for vehicles to be able to withstand high workloads and demanding work cycles, while maintaining efficiency.
For them fuels and lubricants must help lower the cost of ownership, reduce vehicle maintenance costs, extend vehicle life and meet industry standards.
Dr Selda Gunsel, vice president global commercial technology, temporarily relocated from Houston to Shanghai for two years to set up the new lab.
“For Shell Lubricants, innovation is about helping our customers’ business to work more efficiently. We invest significant time and resources listening to customers, analysing the changing markets, and thinking innovatively about the technology we develop,” Gunsel says.
“In 2012, Shell Group invested nearly $1.3 billion in technology to help us anticipate our customer’s future energy challenges and develop industry-leading products that will help deliver tangible benefits to our customers’ business.”
The research work at the Shanghai facility focuses on lubricant product development and application for brands including Rimula, Rotella, Tellus, Gadus and Spirax.
Shell says China was chosen as the location for the new technology centre due to the central role the market plays in the company’s long-term growth strategy.
It brings Shell Lubricants technology and innovation closer to customers and partners in the region to meet the anticipated growth in demand.
Shanghai will not only support China, but the wider Asia region covering countries such as India, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, as well.
In addition, Gunsel says Australia is an important market for Shell.
“We’ve done a number of heavy-duty engine oil fuel trials in Australia, because of the tough driving conditions, so it’s a great place to showcase the performance of our products,” she says.
“Of course, Australia is also important for the mining sector. We provide lubricants as well as fuel for mining operations.
“I know that there are very extreme conditions in Australia, so it’s a great testing ground for us.”