AkzoNobel has commenced production at its chelates facility located at the company's new €275M multi-site in Ningbo, China.

The start-up of the first activities in Ningbo means that AkzoNobel is now the only major producer of chelates with plants in Europe, North America and Asia. New ethylene amines and ethylene oxide factories are also due to begin production at the site this year, followed by an organic peroxides facility. Rob Frohn, AkzoNobel Board member responsible for

Specialty Chemicals commented: “China is a key market for us and the Ningbo site will enable us to better serve customers throughout the Asia Pacific region”. He added: “Growth in the emerging markets is fundamental to our strategy and Ningbo will play an important role as we look to further boost our presence and capabilities.”

The formal inauguration of the Ningbo site, which occupies a 50-hectare plot and offers ideal opportunities for future investments, is expected to take place in late 2010 once the new ethylene amines facility is on stream.