Switzerland-based global specialty chemicals provider Clariant has opened a 50,000-square-meter surfactant production plant in Zhenjiang, China, to meet China's growing need for surfactants. The plant, which has an annual capacity of more than 22,000 metric tons, will service personal care, paints and coatings, textile, oil, mining, metalworking, and homecare industries.

Over the past 18 months, Clariant has undertaken a US$100 million investment program in China to increase its ability to supply customers in the Chinese market. Currently, the company employs some 1,300 people in its 13 laboratory and manufacturing facilities and offices in China.

"Clariant's operations in Greater China have grown substantially in recent years, with a high double-digit growth rate in some key segments such as personal care," said Hariolf Kottmann, CEO, Clariant. "This new facility will enable us to meet the needs of the growing Chinese and wider Asian markets, which have remained strong despite the global economic turndown."

October/November/December 2009