13 Oct 2008
Arkema and Daikin join forces to produce and market new generation refrigerant fluids in Asia-Pacific, creating the region’s leader for fluorinated gas
Arkema announces the creation of two joint ventures in partnership with Daikin, one for the production of HFC-125 on the Chinese site of Changshu, and the other for the marketing in the Asia-Pacific region of refrigerant fluid blends. The expertise of both companies in HFC production and blending associated with their market position establish this partnership as the leader for refrigerant fluids in the Asia-Pacific region.
Arkema Daikin Fluorochemicals Co. Ltd, a 60% Arkema and 40% Daikin joint venture, is to focus on the production and marketing of HFC-125. Arkema will provide its process and technological expertise for the design and construction of the plant which will be located on its Changshu site, thereby strengthening the existing industrial platform. This world-scale plant, the first of this size in Asia, is scheduled to come on stream in 2010. Together with HFC-32, HFC-125 is an essential component of new generation refrigerant blends, which include the R-410A blend due to replace HCFC-22.
Pierre Chanoine, Group President of Arkema’s Fluorochemicals Business Unit, comments: "This new HFC-125 production plant will enable us to fulfill increasing demand from the Asian market and to assist our customers in switching over to new generation blends."
Daikin Arkema Refrigerants Asia Ltd, a 60% Daikin and 40% Arkema joint venture, is to focus on the production and marketing in the Asia-Pacific region of new generation HFC refrigerant fluid blends, in particular the R-410A blend.
This latest phase in the collaboration between Arkema and Daikin is part of Arkema’s strategy to expand its fluorochemicals business in Asia’s fast growing markets.
Pierre Chanoine further explains: "The creation of both joint ventures, specifically dedicated to the refrigerant fluid markets in Asia-Pacific region, represents a major step in our global strategy for the marketing of HFC blends to our key global customers”.
Arkema, one of the world leaders in fluorochemicals
Arkema is the world’s second largest fluorochemicals producer, and currently operates four industrial facilities on three continents: Pierre-Bénite in France, Zaramillo in Spain, Changshu in China, and Calvert City in the United States. The products manufactured in these four plants are sold under the Forane® trademark to the refrigeration and air-conditioning (construction and automobile), insulating foam, solvent, and aerosol industries.
Reader enquiries
Arkema420, rue d'Estienne d'Orves
92705 COLOMBES CEDEX
France
+33 (0)1 49 00 80 80
www.arkema.com
Notes for editors
A global chemical player, Arkema consists of 3 coherent and related business segments: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Present in over 40 countries with 17,000 employees, Arkema achieves sales of 5.7 billion euros. With its 6 research centers in France, the United States and Japan, and internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.
Daikin Industries Ltd. is a global leader in the manufacture of commercial and industrial use air conditioning systems and holds more than one-third of the market share in Japan. The company is also one of the leaders in fluorochemicals industry, with approximately 20% share of the world market. Daikin is a dynamic global company with a well-establish presence in five major areas: Japan, China, Asia & Oceania, Europe and North America. Thus, Daikin is poised to excel in an increasingly borderless business environment.
