Honeywell opens its new tech center in Gurgaon

BANGALORE, INDIA: Honeywell announced the opening of its fourth technology center on Tuesday, aimed at expanding its technology development capabilities in areas, including refining, petrochemical, low global warming, and nylon technologies and applications.

The facility in Gurgaon would feature pilot plants for developing, demonstrating and licensing technologies used in refining and production of petrochemical through UOP, a part of Honeywell's Performance Materials and Technologies (PMT) strategic business group, stated a press release.

"This new facility will allow us to put our vast resources to work in collaboration with some of the brightest engineering minds in India," said Rajeev Gautam, president and CEO of Honeywell's UOP, who officially opened the center.

At the ceremony attended by Jaipal Reddy, minister of petroleum & natural gas, he said, "It brings the development of key technologies closer to our customers in the region and complements our other technology centers around the world."

The center is also expected to perform other product and application development for PMT, including fluorine and nylon technologies. The company has invested $34 million in the 8,830 sq. m center, the release added.

Additionally, the facility will support PMT's efforts to develop new low global warming refrigerants, blowing agents and other materials. According to the release, engineers at the technology center would also conduct research and customer-specific engineering work in caprolactam, a keymaterial used in nylon production, and nylon resin.

"This center adds to India's growing strength as a global knowledge hub, allowing some of the best engineering minds to produce breakthrough technologies to be used in India and beyond," said Mark Turowicz, managing director of Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies, India.

The center would initially employ 40 researchers, with the total expected to grow to 170 in the next five years, said the release.