Clariant Opens New Production Facility in Huizhou Daya Bay

Huizhou Daya Bay welcomes another large foreign-invested chemical project into production. Recently, the Swiss chemical giant Clariant Group's new advanced halogen-free flame retardant production base in Daya Bay, Huizhou was officially put into operation. This is Clariant's first halogen-free flame retardant new material production base in Asia. The project has a total investment of 100 million Swiss francs, and what is put into operation this time is the first production line with an investment of 60 million Swiss francs.

Angela Cackovich, president of Clariant's adsorbents and additives business unit, said that compared with halogenated flame retardants containing halogen elements such as bromine and chlorine, halogen-free flame retardants reduce the flammability of polymers during the combustion process. No toxic halogen compounds are released, providing more protection for the environment and human health. These halogen-free flame retardants can be used as a sustainable alternative to brominated flame retardants to support original equipment manufacturers' demands for environmentally friendly products, and related products are currently used in smartphones, tablets, connectors and circuit breakers and other electronic equipment as well as protective coatings in the construction industry. With this world-class production facility, the company strengthens its leadership position and global supply capabilities in innovative and sustainable fire safety solutions. Relying on innovative platforms, equipment and systems, Clariant will provide better services to customers in China and the entire Asia-Pacific region, and promote technological development in areas such as electric vehicles, infrastructure, 5G communications, and energy transportation. Localized production means greater cooperation, tailor-made solutions to customers' development needs, and significantly shorter lead times.

As early as the end of December 2021, the first production line of Clariant's flame retardant factory in Daya Bay Petrochemical Zone officially started construction. This is the first halogen-free flame retardant new material production base built by Clariant in Asia. It took 18 months to be successfully completed. Currently, the factory's second halogen-free flame retardant production line is also under construction in full swing, with an investment of up to 40 million Swiss francs and is expected to be put into production in 2024. After the completion of the above-mentioned projects, the total investment in Clariant's Huizhou factory will exceed 2 billion yuan.
Clariant CEO Conrad Keijzer said that the new factory is another important step to expand regional influence and continue to consolidate Clariant's position in the local market to better meet the rapid growth needs of China and other Asian markets. By 2025, Clariant's goal is to increase the proportion of sales in the Chinese market in total global sales from the current 11% to 14%, and to further increase the proportion of localized production.

Clariant’s relationship with Huizhou Daya Bay can be traced back to 2009, when its first ethylene oxide derivatives plant in Asia was built. For more than ten years, as market demand continues to grow, Clariant has continued to make additional investments, upgrade and expand production in China. Since 2020, Clariant's investment in China has exceeded 320 million USD; its investment is mainly concentrated in Daya Bay, with a total investment of 195 million USD.