3M launches new R&D centre in Bangalore

US multinational 3M on Friday launched a Rs100-crore research and development facility at Bangalore, India's information technology hub, through its subsidiary 3M India. This is its second facility in the country.

Earlier known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co, 3M produces more than 50,000 products globally, but is perhaps best known for its 'Post-it' sticky notepaper and Scotchbrite home cleaning products. The $27-billion multinational is regarded as one of the world's most innovative companies.

The Bangalore centre has a floor area of 150,000 sq ft and houses more than 25 labs for product and technology development.

It will initially focus on developing products for key industry segments as infrastructure, automotives, healthcare, construction, oil and gas safety and retail, as well as developing subject matter expertise in technologies such as adhesives, non-woven clothing, acoustics, polymer processing, software and integrated systems and design, predictive engineering and modelling, protective coatings and accelerated weathering.

The new facility will act as a hub contributing new product platforms not only for India, but also globally, the company said.

"We did this kind of labs in China four or five years ago and saw phenomenal results. We are hoping for the same magic in India," Jay Ihlenfeld, 3M's vice-president for the Asia-Pacific region, said at the launch function.