SHANGHAI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. multinational 3M Company on Thursday began work on expanding its research and development (R&D) center in Shanghai.

The project will enlarge 3M China's R&D center from the current33,652 square meters to 61,252 square meters and double its research staff to nearly 600 by July next year, according to company officials.

"The base will serve as an important R&D hub for 3M's global business," said Kenneth Yu, 3M's managing director for the China's Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"It will enable the company to better supply products needed in the industries of electronics, telecommunications, automobiles, shipping, aviation, medical care, housing and leisure," company officials said.

Fortune Top 500 company 3M - the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - started building its China center last year at the Caohejing Development Zone with an investment of more than 40 million U.S. dollars in three phases. The base was put into operation in June this year.

The Caohejing base is the world's largest producer and exporter of projectors, according to the company.

The century-old transnational company registered 3M China Limited in Shanghai in 1984.