Swiss specialty chemicals group Clariant has begun expanding its ethoxylation plant at Daya Bay, Huizhu, China. The move will double capacity from 50,000 t/y currently to 100,000 t/y within the next two years, the Swiss group said, without naming a date for completion.

Along with boosting profitability, the expansion will allow new products to be manufactured to meet rapidly growing Chinese demand, Clariant added.

According to unconfirmed reports, the Basel-based chemical producer is in talks with potential buyers about the sale of a South African water treatment chemicals business acquired from Süd-Chemie in the 2011 takeover of the German company.  

Explosives manufacturer AECI of Johannesburg is said to be among potential bidders for the business said to be valued at as much as $50 million.