Clariant opens two additives R&D labs in China

Clariant has officially launched two new research and development 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 company says the investment strengthens its local innovation capability and supports its "In China, For China" strategy. The new laboratories expand Clariant’s activities in the country beyond existing local application development. They enable the full synthesis and development of new additives in China, from initial research to pilot scale. According to the company, the expanded R&D base is intended to accelerate innovation in response to fast-moving market trends, address customer needs in China and across Asia Pacific more closely, and support the faster introduction of new solutions to global markets.

From application development to full R&D

The Daya Bay R&D lab is located at Clariant’s high-performance flame retardants plant in Huizhou. The plant was inaugurated in 2023 and was further expanded with a second production line in November 2025, representing a total investment of CHF 100 million. The new laboratory builds on this production base and focuses on the development of next-generation flame retardant products.

The Huizhou facility is equipped with reactors for atmospheric and high-pressure synthesis. It also includes analytical instruments such as TGA, DSC, XRF, GC and ion chromatography. Clariant states that the laboratory is also designed to support external collaboration with universities and innovation partners across China.

The OCC R&D lab in Shanghai is housed within the existing Additives Technology Center. It is dedicated to the development of novel performance additives, including antioxidants, light stabilizers and waxes. Its capabilities cover synthesis and analytics, as well as a pilot-scale polycondensation facility.

Both laboratories are staffed with experienced R&D professionals recruited specifically to drive innovation in their respective areas.

A local innovation ecosystem

The launch of the two laboratories is presented by Clariant as the latest step in the development of its local innovation ecosystem in China. The company now points to a full local value chain covering 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, the second production line at the Cangzhou joint venture plant with Beijing Tiangang was officially inaugurated. The site produces Nylostab S-EED, a multifunctional additive, for China’s fast-growing nylon industry.

According to Clariant, having these elements of the value chain in China will allow it to offer customers across the region shorter lead times, faster technical support and solutions designed for local application requirements.

Manuel Mueller, Head of Strategy and Innovation, Business Unit Adsorbents & Additives, said: "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."