3M has announced its intent to build a new facility in Singapore to produce coatings for film-based products used in commercial, electronic and automotive applications. By establishing a local film coating center, the facility will help the company better serve the Asia market and support efforts to accelerate growth.

"This investment brings us closer to our customers and creates a regional source of supply, which significantly simplifies our supply chain and helps us respond more quickly to our customers' needs in the fast-growing Asia market," said Kevin Kuck, vice president, 3M film manufacturing.

Construction on the new facility, which will be located in the Tuas Industrial Park, will begin in the second quarter of this year and is expected to be completed in 2009. 3M operations already in Singapore include a customer innovation center and the 3M Woodlands facility, which manufactures flex circuits and electronic adhesives.