Clariant expands capabilities in Indonesia

SPECIALTY chemicals leader, Clariant, held an official ceremony Thursday (June 12^th) at its Tangerang site to inaugurate enhancements to its production capabilities for sustainable pigments, masterbatches, and specialty chemicals and service support for customers in Indonesia and South East Asia and Pacific (SEA&P).

In 2013, SEA&P accounted for 30% of Clariant’s sales in Asia (7% of global sales), and the significant increase in production capacity and upgrading of local facilities will better support the strong growth in demand for pigments, masterbatches, personal care, home care and industrial care ingredients these markets.
Hariolf Kottmann, CEO, said the investments by the Industrial & Consumer Specialties, Masterbatches and Pigments business units highlight the commitment of Clariant to strengthen its long-term provision of value added services to customers in Indonesia and SEA&P.

“The future of Clariant will be decided in Asia, and we see Indonesia as a focal point for our sustainable growth in the SEA&P region. The investments in production capacity, product range and service enhancements demonstrate our belief in Indonesia’s potential and its market growth, and our commitment to better support the strong demand in local and overseas markets,” said Mr. Kottmann.

The company is one of the leaders in Indonesia and SEA&P in the areas of pigments, plastics, oil & gas, catalysts and edible oil refinery.

The expansion of production and service capabilities at Tangerang includes:

(1) Doubling of existing production capacity and an enlarged application development laboratory to enhance support for customers in the personal care and industrial care sectors. The upgraded facilities have been awarded ISO 22716 Cosmetics Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification.
(2) A new plant for masterbatches, doubling production capacity with the option for further increases. The investment extends the variety and availability of Clariant’s products to meet local demand for masterbatches from a wide range of end-industries, including packaging and consumer goods.

(3) A new pigment preparations plant, doubling capacity to support the growth in demand for high quality, low volatile organic compounds (VOC) pigment preparations complying with eco labeling schemes such as blue angel and equivalent schemes in other regions.

(4) Certification of the Tangerang site with ISO 50001 Energy Management System. This benchmark certification promotes systematic energy savings and better environmental performance.

Clariant Indonesia is represented in eight locations across the country with approximately 800 employees across its six production sites and three application and technical centers. It is actively involved in in community and social responsibility activities, including the “Teacher Development Program” in 2012 and 2013. Since then, educational initiative efforts have also been expanded with the debut of a new program – “Clariant School Adoption”.

The new program aims to further enhance the teachers’ professionalism and support them in educating students for a better future. In partnership with the Putera Sampoerna Foundation, Clariant Indonesia will sponsor intensive classroom and on-the-job training for teachers from a public school in the neighboring community over a six-month period.