Belgium's SiVance, a subsidiary of Milliken & Company, has opened a new research and development laboratory at its R&D and manufacturing campus in Gainesville, Florida.

SiVance said the new center, part of a planned series of investments targeting current and future customer needs in markets such as electronic semiconductors, contact lenses, coatings and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will enhance its ability to quickly develop and scale new silane and silicone technologies.

The lab is also planned to speed process development for custom manufacturing of specialty silanes, silicones and other chemistries.

"This state-of-the-art facility is a major milestone in our continuous investment strategy for the business, which was initiated following Milliken's acquisition of SiVance in 2011," said SiVance vice president, Saikat Joardar.

Joardar said the new lab will accelerate product and process development and scale up to manufacturing, strengthen collaboration with customers while taking advantage of new market opportunities for chemistries that fit the company's expertise and capabilities.