Ecolab boosts tech development to tap Chinese market

Ecolab, a global leading provider of water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, is stepping up technology development to tap China's fast-evolving market.

Ruth Petran, vice-president for food safety and public health at Ecolab, said "We're doing our best to stay on top of the developments, which are obviously very, very fast these days…we will develop a new app to help our future sales field service to better serve our customers…this app will be launched in November."

Petran said the company will leverage global resources for digital innovations in the Chinese market, such as the promotion of Ecolab 3D in China, but sometimes tech innovation in the Chinese market can also offer references to the global market.

Ecolab 3D is a cloud-based digital platform that collects data to optimize operations, in order to enable customized solutions in various areas like food and beverage.

"Previously we have the EDM, the dish machine management app, which we developed locally, and we shared this good experience globally," Petran said. "Ecolab certainly has plans to be aware of that technology (manufacturing plant environment testing) and pull the insights from it, and then make sure that our cleaners and sanitizers are effective."

As one of the commitments of Ecolab's innovation in China, the company has invested 100 million yuan establishing the first phase of Ecolab Shanghai Research Development and Engineering (RD&E) Center. Put into use in 2011, the center spans 3,000 square meters and constitutes one of six Ecolab global innovation centers.

As an integral part of the Ecolab innovation network, the Shanghai RD&E center provides advanced technical support to China and other Asia-Pacific markets, fulfilling the region's increasing demands. One of the RD&E center's core objectives is the deployment of new technology, including field testing, field personnel and customer training, as well as product maintenance and manufacturing support. Last year, Ecolab invested $216 million to develop new products and processes globally.