The first phase operations provide nearly 100 jobs for the local community. After the ground breaking in September, 2011, the construction was completed in August 2013, and the production started in the end of 2013.
The new plant is equipped with cutting-edge facilities offering the highest quality, featuring a high degree of automation and use of sophisticated IT-systems in the production process. The plant operations are supported by Kemira’s global expert teams with strong R&D capabilities, the Asia-Pacific R&D Center in Shanghai and local laboratories. The plant conforms to the highest EHS (environment, health and safety) standards in the industry, striving to be a leader in the sustainable development of China’s chemical industry.
Kemira’s new plant is focused on the Asian market, China in particular. Production will be mainly serving the paper industry, while at the same time providing products and services to the oil & mining industry and municipal water treatment. Currently there are five production lines serving across an array of chemical products for pulp and paper manufacturing. The production capacity for sizing agent (ASA), which mainly used for improving water-resistance in middle to high end paper, will be the largest in Asia.
Besides ASA products, the new plant also produces polyacrylic ester, polyacrylamide emulsion, defoamers, and deinking agents, all of which are widely applied in key paper manufacturing processes.
“This investment is an important move for Kemira to strengthen its position in China and promote sustainable development in the paper industry,” said Jari Rosendal, President and CEO of Kemira. He further noted, “As a global chemicals company focused on serving the water intensive industries, Kemira has consistently helped clients to create more value by providing expertise, application know-how and tailored chemicals for improving our customers’ water, energy and raw material efficiency. Here in China and Asia-Pacific, we see huge business potential for us especially in serving the paper industry. We demonstrated our commitment to this industry and the region recently by announcing the acquisition of AkzoNobel’s global paper chemical business. This alone will double the size and scope of our business in the Asia-Pacific region.”
