Akzo Nobel to Add New Plant at Ningbo Site in China

Akzo Nobel is to build an additional plant at its Ningbo multi-site for its Functional Chemicals business. The new €17 million project - part of a total investment of €275 million - will further expand the company's organic peroxides activities.

Production of chelates has already started at the location, while new ethylene amines and ethylene oxide factories are also due to come on stream later this year. The new unit is expected to be operational in late 2011.

The new organic peroxides plant will produce Perkadox 14 (used for different types of rubber and thermoplastics) and Trigonox 101 (used for rheology control of polypropylene and synthetic rubbers). They are used in industries such as automotive, building and construction, as well as for durable goods. Demand for both products, notably in Asia, is rapidly increasing.

The formal inauguration of the Ningbo site - which occupies a 50-hectare plot and offers ideal opportunities for any future investments - will take place in November this year. Akzo Nobel has more than 6,000 employees and 25 locations in China, with 2009 revenue in the country totaling around €1 billion.