US-based chemicals firm DuPont has entered into a 50:50 partnership with Zhonghao Chenguang Chemical Research Institute Company Limited (Chenguang), a subsidiary of China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina), 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,” according to the companies 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.”

The new joint venture will be known as DuPont Haohua Chenguang Fluoromaterials (Shanghai) and will sell fluoroelastomers under the Chenguang and Viton brands. It will be housed in the existing Chenguang manufacturing facility.

The companies also intend to 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.”

Founded in 1965, Zhonghao Chenguang Research Institute of Chemical Industry is said to specialise in researching, developing and manufacturing organic fluorine materials.