Dow Chemical (Midland, Michigan, USA) recently opened a coating materials plant in western China. The new facility, located in the Cheng Mei Petrochemical Zone about 50 km (31.1 mi) from Chengdu, will produce acrylic emulsion and additives for the architectural and industrial coating markets.
The plant is the company’s first manufacturing site in western China and reflects the group’s commitment to explore China’s emerging western inland markets, as well as its support of the Belt and Road initiative of the Chinese government.
“Sustainable urbanization and infrastructure upgrade in the region provide tremendous business opportunities,” says Yoke Loon Lim, president of the company’s Greater China business. “Our sustainable solutions align well with the market needs in western China. The new facility is part of Dow’s commitment to strengthen its local manufacturing and service footprint to better serve the market.”
In 2012, the company opened its western China business center in Chengdu to provide on-the-ground sales, service, and technical support to local customers and partners.
“The new plant will play a critical role in providing solutions in a fast and effective manner to our current and potential customers in western China,” says Ashok Kalyana, business director for coating materials in the Asia-Pacific region. “With outstanding features like low odor, low-VOC [volatile organic compound] emissions, and high performance, our products help customers better meet the increasingly stringent environment and quality standards of the Chinese government.”
Since breaking ground, the plant has adhered to the group’s global environmental, health, and safety guidelines. Waste water, waste gas, and solid wastes will be treated with advanced techniques and in compliance with China’s national and local sustainability requirements, the company explains.
In October 2017, the plant was awarded a government encouragement fund worth ~$500,000 by the Sichuan provincial government in recognition of its sustainable operations and products.
The company currently operates 17 manufacturing sites and 10 business centers with ~5,000 employees across China, which is now its second-largest international market.
Source: Dow Coating Materials, www.dow.com/coatings.