Lubrizol forms global center of excellence for surface modifier technology for coatings and inks in Germany

Lubrizol Corp.’s Performance Coatings business has formed a new global Center of Excellence at its Ritterhude, Germany facility, centralizing the research, testing and production of surface modifier technology for coatings and inks.

The new Center of Excellence will allow closer team coordination, faster scale-up and improved commercialization of new surface modifier wax technology.

“Lubrizol is building this Center of Excellence with one primary goal – to focus on the right surface modifier technologies that will help advance the coating and ink industry on a global basis,” says Herbert Fuesser, global product manager, surface modifiers.

The installation of new milling lines offers increased manufacturing flexibility to meet changing performance requirements, says Fuesser.

“We’ve also successfully integrated production into the plant of nearly all surface modifiers that were previously produced in North America,” he says.

The transition of lab and manufacturing capabilities from North America will be completed by late summer.

Headquartered in Wickliffe, Ohio, U.S.A., Lubrizol produces and supplies technologies to customers in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets, including lubricant additives for engine oils, driveline and other transportation-related fluids, industrial lubricants, as well as additives for gasoline and diesel fuel; ingredients and additives for home care and personal care products and pharmaceuticals, and specialty materials, including plastics technology and performance coatings in the form of specialty resins and additives.