Grace Opens Manufacturing Facility in Western China

W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE: GRA) has expanded its footprint in Asia Pacific with the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Chongqing, China. The company is celebrating with a ribbon cutting ceremony today involving customers, government officials and members of Grace’s global and regional leadership team.

The facility houses manufacturing operations for cement additives and concrete admixtures, as well as a quality control lab and office areas for administrative and sales personnel.

The additives are used by cement producers to improve grinding efficiency, reduce production costs, enhance the quality of cement, and reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The admixtures improve the quality, strength, durability and appearance of concretes.

“The facility is a continuation of our investment strategy in emerging regions and better positions us to benefit from increasing infrastructure spending in Western China,” commented Andrew Bonham, President of Grace Construction Products.

Phil Krichilsky, Vice President and General Manager, Grace Construction Products – Asia Pacific, added, “This new location enables us to provide greater service and shortened delivery times for customers in Chongqing and Sichuan, and the nearby provinces of Guizhou and Yunnan. Working with our research and development centers in Beijing and Singapore, we can help our customers manufacture better quality cement through energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly methods.” Mr. Krichilsky is presiding at the opening ceremony today accompanied by Grace’s Chief Financial Officer Hudson La Force.

In recent months, Grace has announced other construction-related developments in international markets, including the formation of a joint venture in Saudi Arabia and the beginning of manufacturing operations in that country.

The Chongqing facility is the latest investment in China to meet the specific needs of construction customers and joins four existing manufacturing facilities in Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The new address is: Grace China, Ltd., No. 15 Fengxi Road, Caijiagang Town, Beibei District, Chongqing, China. The phone number is +86 23 6835 0798.

The company also operates a research and development center in Beijing that houses chemical and physical testing facilities for cement additives, concrete admixtures, and waterproofing and fireproofing products. Employees there include scientists, chemists and engineers that work with local raw materials to develop products meeting specific needs of customers.

Grace has a long business history in China, dating back to the 19th century. In 1986, the company became the first wholly foreign-owned enterprise allowed to conduct business in the country with the opening of a can sealant manufacturing facility near Shanghai that is still in operation today.

Grace is a leading global supplier of catalysts and other products to petroleum refiners; catalysts for the manufacture of plastics; silica-based engineered and specialty materials for a wide range of industrial applications; sealants and coatings for food and beverage packaging, and specialty chemicals, additives and building materials for commercial and residential construction. Founded in 1854, Grace has operations in over 40 countries. For more information, visit Grace's web site at www.grace.com.