Clariant opens new desiccant facility in China

WORLD leader in specialty chemicals Clariant has recently opened a new desiccant manufacturing facility at its Zhengjiang, China site. 

 

The new plant aims to meet the growing demand for desiccant in China and extend regional support for the Asian market, in particular the food protection sector. It will produce Clariant’s line of Container Dri II® products alongside a full range of desiccant bags. 

 

The Zhengjiang facility has easy access to locally sourced bentonite clay. It can also work seamlessly with the drying facilities offered by the Clariant Functional Minerals Business Unit for the production of desiccant bags for export packagers, machine manufacturers, and food packaging.

 

The new plant and the first Container Dri II production facility in Indonesia, which Clariant opened in March 2014 in anticipation of rising demand for dessicant in Asia, form part of the company’s worldwide network for desiccant manufacturing covering Brazil, Turkey, and the USA.

 

According to Justin Mueller, head of Business Group Cargo & Device Protection, BU Functional Minerals, “Clariant’s desiccant products are highly-regarded within the logistics industry. With our new facility, access to local clay sources, and drying capabilities we have a sustainable opportunity to provide desiccant bags into the Chinese market at the consistent, high quality level customers expect from Clariant.”

 

Mr. Mueller expects the new site to help support the company’s expansion in the area of food protection in the local Chinese market and internationally. “We are well-placed to build on our existing strong relationships with global companies who also have operations in China,” he added.  

 

The company’s specially designed cargo desiccants, the Container Dri II, are designed to protect goods from the harmful effects of moisture and water damage during shipping via container, rail barge, or truck. They are useful in preserving edible cargo and other sensitive goods during long transport across different climate zones.