Lubrizols CPI Engineering Services is partnering with Oxea Chemicals to manufacture synthetic refrigeration lubricants in Nanjing, China. Oxea has also begun constructing a specialty derivatives plant in Nanjing that will make specialty esters used in compressor lubricants.
The plant CPI and Oxea are partnering on will manufacture CPIs Emkarate brand synthetic refrigeration lubricants, with production anticipated in the first quarter of 2014. CPI said the lubricants are suitable for use with ozone-friendly and low global warming potential refrigerants in the Asian marketplace. Some of the worlds largest original equipment manufacturers use refrigeration lubricants in commercial and industrial refrigeration, as well as in service-fill applications.
This additional manufacturing capability will help ensure we provide ample capacity for the evolving Asian market, said CPI President Tom Rajewski. We are designing the facility to provide flexibility for our key OEM customers. We anticipate the benefits will include increased efficiency, shorter lead times and improved overall logistics.
Barrie Spence, CPIs refrigeration business director, said the new partnership signals CPIs long-term commitment to the Asian region. We are serious about our intentions in the marketplace, and we will not be timid about investing in the region and partnering to capitalize our continued growth, Spence said.
Based in Midland, Mich., CPI supplies synthetic and mineral oil based lubricants for refrigeration, food processing and industrial applications. In November 2007, parent Lubrizol acquired the refrigeration lubricants business of Croda International Plc. The acquired products were integrated into CPI Engineering Services and include the Emkarate brand names.
Oxea separately announced it has begun construction on its first oxo derivatives plant in Nanjing Industrial Chemical Park. The company expects the plant to be mechanically complete at the end of 2013.
Initially the Oxea Nanjing plant will produce specialty esters, phthalate-free plasticizers and other oxo derivatives for the local market, said Miguel Mantas, Oxeas executive board member for marketing and sales. But we already have plans for new investments into the plant – along with sufficient space and resources to implement future expansions at Nanjing.
The specialty esters are important building blocks for the production of eco-efficient lubricants for compressors, noted Cristobal Ascencio, vice president of marketing for oxo derivatives at Oberhausen, Germany-based Oxea.