U.S.-based chemical giant DuPont is partnering with a subsidiary of China National Chemical Corporation to serve China’s rapidly expanding fluoroelastomer market.
Fluoropolymer Solutions (DuPont) and Zhonghao Chenguang Chemical Research Institute Company Limited (Chenguang), a subsidiary of China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina), have formed a 50/50 joint venture for the production and marketing of fluoroelastomer gums and pre-compounds in China.
“Fluoroelastomers offer important and unique characteristics that enable them to play a critically important role in many applications,” the companies said in a joint statement. “These include designing more efficient and reliable automobiles, building longer lasting chemical process equipment, generating clean and renewable energy options and developing high-performance aircraft.”
Called DuPont Haohua Chenguang Fluoromaterials (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., the fluoroelastomers joint venture will sell fluoroelastomers under the Chenguang and Viton brands. The joint venture will be housed in the existing Chenguang manufacturing facility, the statement said, and “will make investments to build a new pre-compound manufacturing facility in Shanghai.”
“This strategic alliance will combine the complementary strengths of Chenguang and DuPont, and also add strategic investments in new capacity,” said Robert Lu, vice president, China National Chemical Corporation. “This also will create a new entity that can more effectively serve customers in China and globally through new technologies and specialty fluoroelastomers.”
Zhonghao Chenguang Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. was founded in 1965, and is described as a leading enterprise in China that specializes in researching, developing and manufacturing organic fluorine materials.
