Clariant Strengthens Local Innovation with Two New R&D Laboratories in China

Clariant, a speciality chemicals company focused on sustainability, has officially opened two new research and development laboratories for its additives business in China. Located at the Daya Bay production facility in Huizhou and the One Clariant Campus in Shanghai, the laboratories strengthen the company’s local innovation capabilities and reinforce its commitment to the “In China, For China” strategy.

Advancing from Application Development to Comprehensive R&D

The new laboratories expand Clariant’s capabilities beyond local application development, enabling the complete synthesis and development of new additives in China—from initial research to pilot-scale production. By strengthening its local R&D presence, Clariant can accelerate innovation, respond more effectively to evolving customer needs across China and the Asia-Pacific region, and bring competitive new solutions to global markets more quickly.

Two Specialised Laboratories, One Unified Innovation Strategy

The Daya Bay R&D laboratory is based at Clariant’s high-performance flame-retardants facility in Huizhou. Inaugurated in 2023 and expanded with a second production line in November 2025, the site represents a total investment of CHF 100 million. Building on this foundation, the new laboratory will focus on developing next-generation flame-retardant solutions. It features reactors for atmospheric and high-pressure synthesis, along with advanced analytical equipment, including TGA, DSC, XRF, gas chromatography, and ion chromatography. The facility will also facilitate collaboration with universities and other innovation partners across China.

The OCC R&D laboratory is located in the existing Additives Technology Center at the One Clariant Campus in Shanghai and focuses on developing advanced performance additives, such as antioxidants, light stabilisers, and waxes. Its capabilities encompass synthesis, analytical testing, and pilot-scale polycondensation.

Both laboratories employ experienced R&D professionals who advance innovation in their respective fields.

Building a Comprehensive Local Innovation Ecosystem

The launch of the two laboratories represents the latest expansion of Clariant’s local innovation ecosystem in China, completing an integrated value chain encompassing R&D, manufacturing, and strategic partnerships. In November 2025, the company announced a joint venture with Fuhua to develop next-generation phosphorus-based flame retardants. That same month, Clariant and Beijing Tiangang inaugurated a second production line at their Cangzhou joint venture facility to manufacture Nylostab™ S-EED™, a multifunctional additive for China’s rapidly growing nylon industry. With its entire value chain now established locally, Clariant can provide customers across the region with shorter lead times, faster technical support, and solutions tailored to local application requirements.

Manuel Mueller, Head of Strategy and Innovation, Business Unit Adsorbents & Additives, comments: “Sustainability-driven innovation is at the core of Clariant Additives' strategy, and the expansion of our R&D labs to China is an important milestone in bringing that vision to life. The new facilities will enable us to develop high-value specialty additives for plastics, coatings, and adhesives with greater speed and precision, tailored to the needs of our customers in China and across global markets. By forging deeper collaboration with leading local institutes and industry partners, we are further strengthening Clariant's position as the partner of choice for innovative and sustainable additive solutions.”

Source: Clariant