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Clariant opens two new R&D laboratories in China for additives development
Clariant has inaugurated two new research and development laboratories for its Additives business in China, expanding local synthesis capabilities for flame retardants and performance additives. The move represents a further step in the specialty chemicals company’s “In China, For China” strategy.
Clariant has officially launched two new R&D laboratories for its Additives business in China: one at the Daya Bay production site in Huizhou and one at the One Clariant Campus in Shanghai. The new facilities enable full local synthesis and development of additives on Chinese soil, from initial research through to pilot scale. According to the company, this extends its existing local application development capabilities and is intended to accelerate innovation, improve responsiveness to customer needs in China and across the Asia-Pacific region, and support the rollout of new solutions to global markets.
The Daya Bay R&D laboratory is located at Clariant’s high-performance flame retardants plant in Huizhou, which was inaugurated in 2023 and expanded with a second production line in November 2025, representing a total investment of CHF 100 million. The new laboratory focuses on the development of next-generation flame retardant products and is equipped with reactors for both atmospheric and high-pressure synthesis, as well as analytical instruments including TGA, DSC, XRF, GC, and ion chromatography. It is also designed to support collaboration with universities and innovation partners in China.
Local synthesis capabilities for coatings, plastics, and adhesives
The Shanghai laboratory, housed within the existing Additives Technology Center at the One Clariant Campus, is dedicated to the development of novel performance additives, including antioxidants, light stabilisers, and waxes. Its capabilities encompass synthesis, analytics, and a pilot-scale polycondensation facility. Both laboratories are staffed with R&D professionals recruited specifically for their respective areas of focus.
The launch of the two laboratories forms part of what Clariant describes as a growing local innovation ecosystem in China. The company states that it now has a full local value chain in place, comprising R&D, manufacturing, and partnerships. In November 2025, Clariant announced a joint venture with Fuhua to develop next-generation phosphorus-based flame retardants. In the same month, a second production line at the Cangzhou joint venture plant with Beijing Tiangang was inaugurated.
Completing an end-to-end innovation loop in the APAC region
Manuel Mueller, Head of Strategy and Innovation, Business Unit Adsorbents & Additives, commented: “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.”
The Additives business targets end-markets including e-mobility, electronics, artificial intelligence, packaging, and fibre applications. With the new laboratories now operational, Clariant says customers in the region can expect shorter lead times, faster technical support, and solutions tailored to local application requirements.
