Trelleborg Sealing Solutions inaugurates a new R&D facility providing local innovation backed by global expertise in Bangalore, India.

The new facility serves as an innovation hub, with an emphasis on research customised to the demands of the area market. Trelleborg’s footprint in the region grows, strengthening ties with local companies and improving responsiveness and expertise in Asia-Pacific’s dynamic market landscape. It focuses on a wide spectrum of sophisticated sealing technologies, including material and design advancements. Teams of researchers and engineers will collaborate to develop novel solutions that address sector-specific difficulties in industries such as hydraulics, off-highway vehicles, and industrial automation.

Dr. Konrad Saur, VP of Innovation and Strategic Business Development with Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, says, “This R&D facility is our second in Asia and our first in India and it significantly enhances our local capabilities. Our R&D centres are essential in driving material and product development, ensuring the performance excellence of our solutions across diverse applications. We’ve always prioritised substantial R&D investments to meet the dynamic demands of the industry. The facility is part of our strategic approach to get closer to our customers and foster stronger partnerships in the Asia Pacific region and specifically in India. It is configured to meet both global and local needs, particularly in material testing, materials application conditions and media compatibility. This will enable us to effectively address the stringent regulatory compliance and material compatibility requirements that industries are increasingly adhering to.

“We are committed to driving innovation and look forward to forging even stronger partnerships with our customers to help them achieve their goals with our advanced sealing solutions.”

Initially, the R&D centre will focus on analysing physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, modulus, and tear strength of elastomer compounds, as well as the compatibility of high-performance materials with essential application fluids. Trelleborg’s equipment includes ageing ovens for conducting compatibility tests in air and fluid media, allowing them to examine the compatibility of materials with customer-specific fluids, whether purchased locally or from global labs.

Plans include introducing new capabilities such as analytical testing, benchmark analysis, and product testing. It will also assist local sales and manufacturing teams with failure analysis and consumer feedback, allowing the corporation to better service customers and enhance goods. The new capabilities augment the existing local engineering, simulation, and design expertise.

Vinay Balakrishnan, General Manager of Industrial Asia Pacific, says, “This reflects our dedication to building robust relationships with local companies and industries. We’re focused on delivering tailored, high-quality solutions that meet the specific needs of the Indian market, including the demand for durable solutions with long lifetimes. We aim to be a trusted partner and a key contributor to the growth and success of our customers in India. With the new R&D centre, we can partner on early development with customers and validate the designs. It enhances our ability to provide customers and partners with a more personalized and responsive approach to their needs, making us better equipped to collaborate closely with our customers and meet their unique challenges by delivering tailored solutions.”

The investment reflects Trelleborg’s strong commitment to the Indian market by bringing sophisticated research capabilities closer to customers, allowing for faster and more effective assistance.

Salome Martin, Director of R&D Services India, says, “This is a big step forward by Trelleborg in the Asia region. The development is carried out in a structured manner understanding the current needs of our customers and developing capabilities, solutions, and technical expertise accordingly. The Indian market is different and having a local presence enables this centre to focus on the needs of our customers and collaborate with them to meet their growth aspirations.”

For more information, visit: https://www.trelleborg.com/en/seals