Clariant Launches Two New R&D Laboratories in China

Clariant has launched two new research and development (R&D) laboratories dedicated to additives in China, activating full-scale local synthesis capacity for innovative flame retardants and performance additives.

Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemicals company, has officially opened two new research and development laboratories for its Additives Business Unit in China. One of the laboratories is located at the Daya Bay production site in Huizhou, while the other is situated at the One Clariant Campus (OCC) in Shanghai. This development stands out as an important indication of Clariant's strengthening of its local innovation capacity in China and its commitment to its "In China, for China" strategy.

From application development to comprehensive R&D
The newly established laboratories go beyond Clariant's existing local application development capacity, enabling new additives to be fully synthesized and developed in China. Through this process, which extends from the initial research stage to pilot scale, the company is gaining significant capacity to strengthen its local R&D competencies, keep pace with rapidly changing market trends, respond more quickly to the needs of customers in China and Asia Pacific, and bring new solutions to global markets faster and more competitively.

Two specialized laboratories, one integrated vision
The Daya Bay R&D laboratory is located at Clariant's high-performance flame retardant facility in Huizhou, which came into operation in 2023 and was expanded in November 2025 with the addition of a second production line. Built on top of the facility, which represents a total investment of CHF 100 million, the new R&D laboratory focuses on the development of next-generation flame retardant products. Equipped with reactors for atmospheric and high-pressure synthesis as well as comprehensive analytical instruments including TGA, DSC, XRF, GC and ion chromatography, the laboratory is also designed to support external collaborations to be carried out with universities and innovation partners across China.

The OCC R&D Laboratory in Shanghai, on the other hand, is located within the existing Additives Technology Center and focuses on the development of new performance additives including antioxidants, light stabilizers and waxes. The laboratory has broad-ranging competencies, including synthesis, analysis and a pilot-scale polycondensation facility.
Both laboratories are staffed by experienced R&D professionals specifically hired to drive innovation in their respective fields.

A complete local innovation ecosystem
The launch of these two laboratories represents the latest step in building Clariant's growing local innovation ecosystem in China. Clariant now has a complete value chain consisting of local R&D, local production and local business partnerships. In November 2025, Clariant had announced the establishment of a joint venture with Fuhua to develop next-generation phosphorus-based flame retardants. In the same month, the official opening of the second production line at the facility in Cangzhou, established under the joint venture with Beijing Tiangang, was held, and production began of Nylostab™ S-EED™, a multi-functional additive for China's rapidly growing nylon industry. With every stage of the value chain now positioned in China, Clariant is able to offer its customers in the region shorter delivery times, faster technical support, and solutions specifically developed for local application requirements.

Manuel Mueller, Head of Strategy and Innovation for the Adsorbents & Additives Business Unit, commented on the matter as follows: "Sustainability-driven innovation is at the heart of Clariant's Additives strategy, and expanding our R&D laboratories into China is an important milestone in bringing this vision to life. The new facilities will allow us to develop high-value specialty additives for plastics, coatings and adhesives faster and with greater precision, and to tailor them to the needs of our customers in China and in global markets. By building stronger collaborations with leading local institutes and industry partners, we are further strengthening our position as the partner of choice for innovative and sustainable additive solutions."

Source