Malaysia-headquartered natural chemicals producer Emery Oleochemicals recently opened a technical centre in Loxstedt, Germany, to serve its green polymer additives business. “We are very excited to open our new Technical Development Centre to address the polymer additives growing market demand,” commented Group CEO Dr Kongkrapan Intarajang. “Our expansions are focused around our additives business, of which the unique feature is that it is green,” he added.

The TDC is part of a EUR20 million investment that includes manufacturing facility expansions at Loxstedt. Employing about 20 researchers, the TDC has labs for product development, application testing and quality control. In addition, training and co-research infrastructure capacities will further encourage product innovations suited for high growth industries such as packaging, construction, automotive and various high-valued applications in plastics and coating.

“This investment is aligned with our growth plan in providing differentiated, customisable solutions for our customers. It encompasses our focus in research and technological advancements as to support and enhance service in Europe and the rest of the world,” said Intarajang.

Owned by Malaysian plantation conglomerate Sime Darby Plantation and Thai chemical firm PTT Global Chemical, Emery expects to increase its sales of renewably sourced lubricants, speciality plasticisers, release agents and anti-static agents from 30% to 50% in three years, said Intarajang. “To meet the demand we are expanding our additives plant in Lockstedt, Germany, by 10,000 tonnes/year to a capacity of 40,000 tonnes/year. It will be ready by the end of this year.”

It has also set up a new green additives plant in Malaysia in Telok Panglima Garang, near Banting. Touted to be Asia Pacific’s first fully integrated and largest green polymer additives plant, the Malaysian manufacturing operations will enable the company to extend its reach in Asia.

In addition, it is also investing US$50 million towards the expansion project of its Cincinnati manufacturing facility in the US in Cincinnati. The plant will produce high-performance bio-based polyols products for the automotive, furniture, major appliances (white goods) and various other industries.

Intarajang says the company is aiming to bring its speciality business closer to the high-growth marketplace, by leveraging on its pipeline of renewable resources, global operations, market insights and oleobasics capabilities to strengthen its market presence.

With revenue of US$1billion (2012), the company has manufacturing plants in Asia Pacific, North America and Europe.