Honeywell Resins & Chemicals Strengthens Presence in Chinese Market    

By Judy Wang   
On April 19th, Honeywell Resins & Chemicals indicated that China has become one of its most important strategic markets in the world. Forward-looking investments in the Chinese market by Honeywell Resins & Chemicals during the past two years have ensured it of its ability for sustained competitiveness in the Chinese market.
   At the end of 2006, Honeywell Resins & Chemicals announced the expansion in production of CPL (caprolactam) at its Hopewell, Va. Facility. The expansion was expected to boost CPL production by up to 10%. In April 2007, Honeywell Resins & Chemicals announced a 10% increase in the company's supply capacity for nylon resin through raising production efficiency. The company realized this increase in resin capacity through a series of productivity improvement efforts at its Chesterfield, Va. facility, which is its main production facility for nylon resin. Both expansions aimed to meet the increasing demand for CPL and nylon resins, mainly from China.
   In order to support increasing customer demand from China and the Asia-Pacific region, Honeywell Specialty Materials set up an Asia Technical Center in Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park, Shanghai at the end 2004. The technology center, as one of Honeywell Specialty Materials' seven research & development centers throughout the world, is the only one located in the Asia-Pacific region. In November 2006, Honeywell announced its plans to expand the Asia technology center. The expansion is projected to be completed by middle of 2008. At present the Asia technology center has dedicated technical staff and advanced polymer analysis laboratories to support Resins & Chemicals business. At the same time, the Asia technical team also works with the research team based in US to jointly develop new products and applications for the Chinese market. With the expansion, the research & development center will house advanced composite and plastic injection laboratory equipment, so as to be able to respond swiftly to the market, as well as to develop new applications and products for end-user customers, thus providing customers with comprehensive solutions.
   In 2007, Honeywell Resin & Chemicals established bonded warehouses in Shanghai and Shenzhen, Guangdong province. Through effective customer services and technical support, Honeywell Resins & Chemicals has provided its Chinese customers with prompt and highly effective goods supply services, thus helping its Chinese business to grow rapidly.