AkzoNobel will start the production at its chelates facility located at the company’s new E275m multi-site in Ningbo, China, this week.
The company now claims itself to be the only major producer of chelates with plants in Europe, North America and Asia. New ethylene amines and ethylene oxide factories are also due to begin production at the site in 2010, followed by an organic peroxides facility.
The company said that the new plant, which will help optimise its global supply chain, will produce most of the basic chelates in AkzoNobel’s Dissolvine product range. This will include the company’s new biodegradable chelating agent, Dissolvine GL, which can be used in applications such as detergents and oilfield and is expected to play an important role as a phosphate replacement in cleaning formulations.
The formal inauguration of the Ningbo site is expected to take place in late 2010 once the new ethylene amines facility is on stream.
Rob Frohn, board member responsible for specialty chemicals at AkzoNobel, said: “China is a key market for us and the Ningbo site will enable us to better serve customers throughout the Asia Pacific region. Growth in the markets is fundamental to our strategy and Ningbo will play an important role as we look to further boost our presence and capabilities.”