124 Million Dollar Investment Clariant Expands China Facility, Flame Retardant Portfolio

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With a whooping investment of 124.4 million dollars, Clariant has expanded its Daya Bay facility in China. The firm has also introduced new halogen-free Exolit OP flame retardants which are specifically designed for PBT in e-mobility applications.

Muttenz/Switzerland – Clariant completes its CHF 100 million (124.4 million dollars) investment in the Daya Bay facility, with the second production line fully operational in November. This expanded capacity strengthens Clariant's ability to meet growing demand for more sustainable flame-retardant solutions in Asia and globally, particularly in the rapidly expanding e-mobility sector.

"Our continued investment in the Daya Bay facility underscores our commitment to supporting the significant growth of engineering plastics applications in e-mobility and electrical & electronic segments," said Angela Cackovich, Business President Adsorbents & Additives and EMEA and Member of the Executive Steering Committee. "With this world-class manufacturing plant, we strengthen our leading position in innovative and more sustainable fire safety solutions while improving our ability to serve customers across the Asia Pacific region with reduced delivery times and tailored solutions."

In addition, Clariant announces the expansion of its Exolit OP flame retardant portfolio with two new high-performance solutions specifically designed for polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) applications in e-mobility. The new products, Exolit OP 1242 (TP) and Exolit OP 1266 (TP) are featured at K 2025.

Meeting critical e-mobility challenges

The new Exolit OP flame retardants address two critical challenges in e-mobility applications. Exolit OP 1242 (TP) offers exceptional hydrolysis stability, while Exolit OP 1266 (TP) provides a stable comparative tracking index (CTI) of 600 V even after extended storage periods. Both products meet the UL 94 vertical test with V-0 classification down to a sample thickness of 0.4 mm at dosing levels of 15-20 %.

These innovations are particularly significant as the e-mobility industry transitions to higher voltage systems of 800 V and above, requiring materials with superior electrical insulation properties and long-term stability under demanding conditions.

Sidestepping antimony market volatility

The new halogen-free flame retardants offer manufacturers an attractive alternative to traditional systems based on antimony trioxide (ATO), which has experienced dramatic price increases and supply chain volatility in recent years.

"Our new Exolit OP solutions not only deliver superior technical performance for e-mobility applications but also help manufacturers reduce their exposure to antimony market fluctuations," explained Mariano Suarez, Head of Marketing Additives at Clariant. "By offering halogen-free and Ato-free alternatives that don't require fluorinated polymers like PTFE, we are enabling our customers to meet growing OEM environmental requirements while maintaining reliable supply chains."

Expanding the Exolit portfolio with melamine-free solutions

As part of Clariant’s ambition to remove substances of very high concern (SVHC) from its portfolio, the company has also developed Exolit AP 422 A, which delivers exceptional fire protection for polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation panels while offering manufacturers a melamine-free, SVHC-free solution that meets stringent fire safety standards.

In polyurethane foam applications, this versatile halogen-free ammonium polyphosphate serves as an effective replacement for TCPP (tris(chloropropyl) phosphate) and TEP (triethyl phosphate), providing robust flame retardancy without unwanted plasticizing effects. With improved powder flowability for more efficient production handling, Exolit AP 422 A enables customers to create safer, more sustainable building materials that align with evolving regulatory requirements.

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