Rolls-Royce strengthens its position in China with new R&D test bench for mtu engines

• New test bench allows for qualification of all localized mtu goods in Suzhou
• Testing capability for mtu Series 4000 and soon Series 2000 engines
• Rolls-Royce location in Suzhou celebrates 25 years of existence

Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems is strengthening its research and development (R&D) capabilities in China with a new test bench for mtu engines at the company’s location in Suzhou. The new test bench was inaugurated as part of an event celebrating 25 years of the Rolls-Royce location’s existence. The R&D test bench can accommodate mtu engines with a power output of up to 3,600 kW and will be used to test parts, engines and complete systems for power generation and industrial applications.

Eugenia Valente, President Rolls-Royce Solutions Greater China, said: “The new R&D test bench is a testament to our strong commitment to the Chinese market. It allows us to do all product qualifications in China, close to our suppliers, production sites and end customers, realizing our China strategy ‘local for local’. Not having to send back and forth abroad the locally sourced components anymore is also supporting and aligned to our efforts to reach net zero carbon.”

The new R&D test bench in Suzhou will first be used for test runs of gensets based on mtu 16V 4000 engines, starting in 2022. It is suitable for testing a wide range of versions of the versatile Series 4000 engine which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. A further upgrade of the test bench is planned for 2022: The capabilities will be extended to testing mtu Series 2000 engines as well.

The company opened its first facility in Suzhou 25 years ago to provide customers in China with faster and more efficient after-sale services in applications such as railway, marine and power generation. Suzhou later became the third production base for mtu engines globally at that time, responsible for the assembly of mtu Series 2000 gendrive engines. Branches in Beijing, Shanghai and Dalian were also established gradually. In October 2021, the former MTU Engineering (Suzhou) Co.,Ltd. was renamed Rolls-Royce Solutions (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.

With the new test bench, the localization strategy of Rolls-Royce Power Systems in Suzhou is now covering the whole process ranging from sales and services to manufacturing and R&D. Eugenia Valente explained: “China has been a key strategic market for Rolls-Royce Power Systems for a long time and clearly is an important engine for global economic development. We remain committed to supporting the sustainable development of China's industry with our activities in Suzhou and other locations. We look forward to serving our customers with even more competitive products and optimized systems solutions, pioneering the transition to a low-and finally net zero carbon economy in the coming years.”

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

1. Rolls-Royce pioneers the power that matters to connect, power and protect society. We have pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in our operations by 2030. We joined the UN Race to Zero campaign in 2020, and have committed to ensuring our new products will be compatible with net zero operation by 2030, and all products will be compatible with net zero by 2050.
2. Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and
   employs around 9,000 people. The product portfolio includes mtu-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, power generation, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry as well as diesel and gas systems and battery containers for mission critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids.
3. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and
   leasing customers, 160 armed forces and navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
4. Annual underlying revenue was £11.76 billion in 2020 and we invested £1.25 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 28 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
5. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE:RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69).