ALTANA Chemie Opens Fourth Production Site in China

01-Nov-2004

ALTANA Electrical Insulation, a business unit of ALTANA Chemie AG, Wesel, has commenced operation of a super modern production plant in Zhuhai after a year and a half of construction. The site of the new plant is located in the Harbor Industrial Zone, Zhuhai, in the province of Guangdong near Hong-Kong - the booming Southeast of China. On an area covering 70,000 m2 ALTANA Electrical Insulation Zhuhai produces specialty chemicals such as wire enamels, impregnating resins and compounds at an annual capacity of 25,000 metric tons. In addition, the production complex also houses application labs. During the start-up phase, 40 employees will be based in Zhuhai. By 2005 it is hoped that annual sales will top the ten million euro mark.

The aim of the new site is to consolidate the Asian presence, with the emphasis on China, and to take account of the tremendous market potential in Asia, and China especially. "The greatest market growth in the major target markets of ALTANA Chemie is, without a doubt, to be found in China. The ability to act quickly, efficiently and with the aid of local managers and staff in these markets is therefore critical for the success. The formation, building and successful start-up of ALTANA Electrical Insulation Zhuhai underlines once more the amazing competency of our company in this respect," Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, Member of the Management Board of ALTANA and Chairman of the Management Board of ALTANA Chemie, declared at the official opening.

ALTANA Chemie in China

China is one of the most important growth markets for ALTANA Chemie. Following the production site in Shunde and two in Tongling, Zhuhai represents the company's fourth production site. In addition, the three business units of ALTANA Chemie maintain further sales offices and application labs. In 2004, ALTANA is expected to achieve sales of around EUR 80m in China with 250 employees, an increase of more than 20% on last year. Within the past five years ALTANA Chemie has therefore doubled its turnover in China. Taken as a whole, the Chinese market has a 9% share of the aggregate turnover of ALTANA Chemie.

ALTANA Chemie has been represented in Asia since 1980 and is expected to achieve regional sales of around EUR 190m for 2004 with more than 500 employees, which corresponds to a share of over 20% of the total turnover. Since 1995 some EUR 50m has been invested in new sites alone.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/40587/altana-chemie-opens-fourth-production-site-in-china.html