China Expansions: Domo Chemicals breaks ground on new nylon plant in Haiyan; BASF invests in expansion of polymer dispersions plant in Daya Bay

Domo Chemicals, a manufacturer of engineered materials, says it has broken ground for its new plant in Haiyan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China. The new plant will produce Technyl polyamide-based grades and is expected to be in full operation by 2024. It represents a significant investment of EUR14 million by Domo and covers a total area of 40,000 sq m.

Domo Chemicals has been active in China since 2016 with a nylon compounding plant in Jiaxing, based on virgin and sustainable solutions. The new plant, which will gradually be expanded to reach a total capacity of 50 kilotonnes, will be equipped with the latest technology and equipment. It will play a key role in the company’s strategy to expand its presence in the Asian market.

The new plant is strategically located in the vibrant economic development zone of Haiyan in the Zhejiang Province which borders south of Shanghai. Along with Domo Chemicals, the development zone will also be home to leading manufacturing industries covering electronics, new energy, new materials and high-end equipment. In addition, the sub-district will intensify efforts to become a high-level manufacturing base and future hydrogen valley.

Fabrizio Cochi, General Manager Asia of Domo, added: “The event marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Domo Chemicals, as the company continues its success and growth throughout the entire Asia region. The new plant will not only increase the company's competitiveness in the growing Asian polyamide market but also bring job opportunities and contribute to the development of the local economy.”

Domo also says the facilities will be equipped with solar panels, closed-loop water systems and water, fume and air treatment technologies.

Meanwhile in other news, German chemicals firm BASF has announced plans to expand its polymer dispersions production capacity by adding a second production line at its site in the Daya Bay Petrochemical Industrial Park in Guangdong, China. The new line is scheduled to start operations at the beginning of 2024.

As a leading global dispersions manufacturer, BASF says it continues to invest in fast-growing Asian markets. The Daya Bay site is strategically located near key customers in South China and produces a wide range of products, including acrylics and styrene butadiene-containing dispersions, for industries such as construction, architectural coatings, paper, and adhesives, as well as new market segments like lithium-ion batteries.

"This expansion marks another key milestone in the development of our polymer dispersions business in Greater China," said Jeff Liu, Director of Dispersions Greater China at BASF. " Innovative Polymer Dispersions are vital for our customers to succeed in their markets. The additional capacity will enable agility and sustainable growth for our customers, especially in the South China market"

Bir Darbar Mehta, Senior Vice President, Dispersions Asia Pacific at BASF, added "Together with our global and regional R&D centres, we are keen to offer our customers innovative products with enhanced sustainability features. For example, the Daya Bay site produces next-generation dispersions products such as BASF’s award-winning Acronal PLUS 7679. It combines our latest Advanced Odour Reduction (AOR) technology that overcomes the smell of the paint on interior walls and defines a new benchmark for interior paints."

The BASF dispersions business unit operates three production plants in China. The dispersions site in Daya Bay, Guangdong started operations in 2012.

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