Trinseo (NYSE: TSE), a global materials solutions provider and manufacturer of plastics, latex binders, and synthetic rubber, announced a strategic partnership with Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT), bringing together expertise from academia and industry. The partnership will see the launch of a scholarship to nurture a new generation of talent and will also introduce joint research in synthetic rubber technology.
Trinseo’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific, James Ni, and BUCT Vice President, Wang Feng, co-signed the agreement at a ceremony in Beijing on October 22, 2019. The three-year BUCT-Trinseo Materials Science Scholarship will facilitate the development of the industry’s new generation of talent by providing students with financial aid, starting this year. The move is part of the Company’s sustainability commitment to contribute to the communities in which it operates.
“We are honored to cooperate with Beijing University of Chemical Technology,” Ni said. “By connecting BUCT’s academic and laboratory knowledge and Trinseo’s actual production and industrial experience, we believe we can contribute to the synthetic rubber technology and the overall industry greatly.”
In addition to facilitating the students, this strategic cooperation includes a joint research and expert exchange program designed to promote technological innovation in the industry and strengthen the development of high-performance rubber industrialization. By combining the knowledge and expertise of BUCT and Trinseo, there is a strong opportunity to enhance technological development resulting in exciting advances in synthetic rubber applications.
“We show our appreciation to Trinseo for their generosity in providing a scholarship to our university,” Feng said. “This will benefit our materials science students and it also shows that Trinseo is committed to their corporate social responsibility.”
Senior executives from both Trinseo and BUCT attended the ceremony, including Director of the Domestic Cooperation and Exchange Division, He Yujun; Associate Dean of the Institute of Science, Technology and Development, Zhu Baoning; Dean of the College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhang Liqun; Global Technical Director of Trinseo Synthetic Rubber, Sandra Hofmann; and APAC Commercial Director, Arthas Yang.
After the ceremony, the BUCT team provided Trinseo representatives with a tour of the lab followed by a discussion on future collaboration. Some of the topics covered included the application of bio-based materials in tires and technical rubber goods, and next generation materials for tires.
Trinseo, and its Synthetic Rubber business in particular, is excited to partner with BUCT. With more than 60 years of history and a renowned reputation in materials science, BUCT and Trinseo are creating a partnership which could lead to some technological advancements that benefit the entire synthetic rubber industry.