The polyethylene resins business of NOVA Chemicals breaks ground on an expansion at its Center for Performance Applications in Calgary. Formerly known as the NOVA Chemicals Technical Centre, the expanded center will serve as a hub for collaborating with customers on the development of higher-value products and applications.
In addition, NOVA Chemicals’ Research & Technology Center, also located in Calgary, has been renamed the Center for Applied Research. The two facilities were renamed to better describe the work performed at each location and the NOVA Chemicals customer-centric approach.
The polyethylene research and development conducted at the Center for Applied Research facility focuses on product and process improvements, new resins, and breakthrough innovations. The Center for Performance Applications continues the product development process with resin testing, applications development, and customer collaboration. The complementary approach of the two facilities enhances NOVA Chemicals’ ability to innovate, ultimately helping its customers bring better-designed, better-performing products to market more quickly.
“In the decades we’ve been at our current facilities, we’ve seen tremendous growth and an evolution in our focus, staffing, equipment, and capabilities,” says Daryll Harrison, vice president, NOVA Chemicals Technology. “These investments and facilities reflect our commitment to deliver greater value to our customers and to the polyethylene market.”
In addition to the new space, the company is investing in a range of new equipment and upgrades, including a semi-commercial 9-layer blown film line. The line provides NOVA Chemicals and its customers with access to leading-edge multilayer film manufacturing technology for rapid prototyping in a dedicated development environment. All of the equipment investments enable NOVA Chemicals to better perform product development work and trials that simulate customer manufacturing methods and application performance under real-world conditions.
“The ability to perform critical product and applications development work and even reimagine how our resins can be used are key to expanding our innovation capabilities and serving our customers now and far into the future,” says Chris Bezaire, senior vice president, NOVA Chemicals Polyethylene Business.
The new equipment is being installed throughout the next two years with the grand opening of the Center for Performance Applications expansion planned for spring 2015.
NOVA Chemicals
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