Kemira, a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water intensive industries, opens its new APAC R&D center in Pujiang Town, Shanghai, China, to meet rapidly growing market demand and accelerate efforts to develop renewable, biodegradable and recyclable products in the Asian region.
The 2,400 square meter R&D center will offer bleaching, sizing, polymers, coagulants and biomaterial expertise as well as application solutions to China and Asia Pacific markets. It serves Kemira’s strong paper and board customer base and supports Kemira’s water treatment growth initiatives in the region. It has been built and equipped under the highest environmental standards with facilities that remain close to customers and support employee well-being in line with Kemira’s commitment to sustainability and long term strategy.
«Kemira’s business in Asia-Pacific has grown significantly since our first R&D center was established in China in 2008,» says Michelle Xiao, Director of Technology, Research & Development for APAC. «With the increasing market need for sustainable materials in China, we have expanded our polymer and biomaterial research capabilities to better serve our customers, and help them stay competitive in the fast-paced, cost-conscious and environmentally focused markets».
«Our continued investment in equipment and facilities such as our new R&D center in APAC region shows our strong commitment and strategic focus for these markets» says Matthew Pixton, Chief Technology Officer of Kemira. «This new research and development centre will help us to develop innovative products, and we will focus on meeting the needs of our local customers by providing short delivery times and our global customers working on long-term projects».
The new center also works closely with Kemira’s Nanjing and Yanzhou sites in China and its Ulsan site in Korea to develop consistent production processes, source new raw materials and end products. It is an integral part of Kemira’s global R&D network, in collaboration with other Kemira research centers based in Espoo (Finland), and in Atlanta (USA) to deliver innovation into global markets.
Kemira evaluates possible closing of its Pierre-BĂ©nite site
Kemira has started a project to evaluate a possible closing of its Pierre-Bénite site in France, close to Lyon. Pierre-Bénite was part of Kemira’s acquisition of Arkema’s water treatment business in 2007. The site produces ferric chloride and different grades of polyaluminum chloride.
Unfavourable market conditions together with an increased competition have continuously impacted the economic situation of the Pierre-BĂ©nite site negatively. Despite the numerous improvement efforts that have been implemented in recent years the site profitability has not improved sufficiently.
As a result, Kemira has started the consultation process with the local works council today, in accordance with French lobar law requirements.
Kemira remains committed to serving the water treatment market in France and will continue to supply its customers with product deliveries from its existing network.