Responding to the ever-increasing demands for innovative coating solutions, Denmark-based
Hempel’s new ‘state of the art’ production facility in Zhangjiagang, China, is now operational and will enhance the company’s capacity to better serve customers in the protective, marine, energy and infrastructure sectors.
Three years after announcing plans to invest in two new production facilities in China, Hempel held an inauguration ceremony at the site last week which welcomed local government officials, representatives from the Danish General Consulate in Shanghai, as well as customers, suppliers and members of Hempel’s senior management.
Katarina Lindstroem, Hempel’s chief operating officer and executive vice president, said: “Today is truly a day to celebrate. Our teams, both here in Zhangjiagang and in Yantai, have put in a massive effort to make this happen and I am very proud of the results. This new location will significantly improve ‘time to market’ of both products and services – especially at the shipyards along the Yangtze.”
With the majority of the world’s marine new-build business located in China, and over 50% of Chinese shipyards located in a 200km radius around Zhangjiagang, anti-fouling coatings are in high demand. Shipowners and charterers around the world are in constant pursuit of fuel efficiency, which has resulted in an exponential growth in sales of silicone-based, anti-fouling coatings like Hempel’s Hempaguard.
The Zhangjiagang factory will gradually increase capacity to reach 100 million litres annually in 2025, with the potential to increase production further in the future.