Switzerland-based specialty chemicals manufacturer Clariant International Ltd. has opened a regional headquarters in Singapore to serve customers in the Southeast Asia and Pacific regions. The location currently employs 200 people and also will serve as the regional headquarters for Süd-Chemie AG, a Germany-based specialty chemicals company that Clariant acquired earlier this year. Süd-Chemie is expected to boost Clariant's growth in the Asia Pacific region.

The Singapore headquarters also will house Clariant's Textile Chemicals business unit (BU), which recently relocated from Reinach, Switzerland. Senior management and the global textile application technology team will operate out of the new office, which also includes a state-of-the-art laboratory.

In addition, Clariant's Industrial and Consumer Specialties (ICS) BU has opened its first ethoxylation plant in China. Located in Guangdong province, the 80,000-square-meter plant is ICS's largest in the Asia Pacific. The plant will manufacture surfactants and have an initial annual capacity of approximately 50,000 tons; and features an autoclave laboratory to facilitate product development and customization.

"Expanding Clariant's business in the fast-growing Asian region is an important pillar in our profitable growth strategy and a strong commitment to serving our customers and markets," said Hariolf Kottmann, CEO, Clariant.

October/November/December 2011