Additives and performance chemicals manufacturer SI Group has opened a new European innovation centre in Four Ashes, UK, expanding its global research and development capabilities.

The centre will focus on plastics and rubber application development, as well as analytical characterization.

The facility will act as 'a collaborative hub' to support customers and industry partners in addressing technical challenges and developing new solutions, said the group.

The new centre adds to SI Group's existing network of innovation centres in Houston, Texas; Rotterdam Junction, New York; Morgantown, West Virginia; Lote, India; and Shanghai, China.

The "significant investment in innovation capabilities", said Robert Kaiser, VP strategic marketing and managing director for EMEA, will "enhance competitiveness" and support long term growth by delivering solutions tailored to regional market needs.