Lubrizol yesterday announced the opening of its additives manufacturing facility in Zhuhai Gaolan Port Economic Zone in southern China.
The plant in Guangdong province will offer select additive component manufacturing as well as additive package blending. Over the coming years, Lubrizol said it will phase in additional capabilities and capacity to meet market demand.
Construction on the 400,000 square meter site began in October 2010. Wickliffe, Ohio-based Lubrizol in January 2010 announced a 10-year, $1 billion plan to upgrade operations and increase global additive capacity, including $200 million for the wholly owned plant in Zhuhai.
By phasing in select capacity additions in China, we aim to respond to lubricant growth in Asia and to better match our manufacturing footprint with global demand patterns, said Dan Sheets, president of Lubrizol Additives, in a news release. We believe that a local presence strengthens our ability to partner with our customers to meet their demand by providing shorter lead times while strengthening business continuity plans. Sheets and Lubrizol Chairman, President and CEO James Hambrick traveled to Zhuhai for the plants opening.
The site includes a Zhuhai research, development and testing lab in support of Lubrizols engine oils, driveline, industrial and fuel additive businesses, and is part of the companys global technical network of labs and export.
Lubrizol was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 2011 for $9.7 billion.