WESEL, Germany/SHANGHAI – Specialty chemicals group ALTANA, Wesel, Germany, is significantly expanding its presence in China. In April, the ACTEGA division opened a new laboratory building for coatings and sealants at its production site in Foshan. ELANTAS commissioned a new plant for wire enamels in Tongling, and BYK signed a contract for the purchase of a site for developing and manufacturing chemical additives in Shanghai. With these projects, the ALTANA Group is investing a total of over €30 million in the further growth of its China business.

"With our investment initiative, we're aiming to increase our presence in Asia further with emphasis on China and take advantage of the enormous market potential here," declared Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of ALTANA AG. "Consequently, the ability to act rapidly, efficiently and in concert with local managers and employees in these markets is critical for our success." In 2013, ALTANA achieved its highest growth rate in this region in China. The Asian region as a whole grew by 7%, driven primarily by the increased demand from China. Currently, ALTANA operates eight subsidiaries, five production facilities and 10 laboratories in the country. With 450 employees in the region, the company generated sales of around €290 million, or 16% of its entire global business in 2013.

With the new research facility at its existing production site in Foshan, Guangdong Province, the ACTEGA division is aiming to deliver even more intensive customer service and cut response times for inquiries relating to technical applications.

At the Tongling site in Anhui Province, already the world's largest production facility for wire enamels, the ELANTAS division is expanding capacity by a further 40%, to over 60,000 tons per year.

With the signing of a contract to purchase a property of approximately 30,000 square meters in Shanghai, BYK is seeking to bundle its competencies in China. In addition to a large production plant, the Fenxiang Shanghai Chemical Industry Park will also be the home of the new BYK China headquarters with administration, a warehouse for raw materials and finished goods, and a laboratory complex. The opening is planned for 2016.