AkzoNobel's Specialty Chemicals business recently broke ground on a new alkoxylation facility in Ningbo, China, bringing the company's total investment in the strategic multi-site to more than EUR 400 million. As well as contributing to AkzoNobel's position as one of the leading surfactant producers in China, the new facility also creates a more sustainable footprint in the region and will enable the company to better serve its customers.

 

The Ningbo multi-site covers some 50 hectares and accommodates production for chelates, ethylene amines, ethylene oxide, organic peroxides, and Bermocoll cellulose derivatives. Surface Chemistry's latest investment will increase annual capacity by nearly 18,000 metric tons, mainly catering for domestic demand in China.

As well as contributing to AkzoNobel's position as one of the leading surfactant producers in China, the new facility also creates a more sustainable footprint in the region. The new plant’s added alkoxylation capacity (the process of reacting a fatty amine with ethylene oxide to make ethoxylated amines) will enable the company to better serve its customers in the agrochemical, oilfield and personal care markets.

 

AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry is a global leader in the manufacturing and supply of specialty surfactants, synthetic and bio-polymer additives, and specialty polymers. AkzoNobel currently employs more than 7,400 people in China. Revenues in China totaled EUR 1.7 billion in 2014. 

Net sales were SEK 16 billion and the group has approximately 3,400 employees.