Clariant bullish about prospects in China as nation gears up innovation

Swiss specialty chemicals giant Clariant vows to continuously broaden its investment footprint and collaborative ecosystems in China, as the country's rapid transformation into a technology-driven engine provides massive opportunities in advanced materials, renewable energy and digital manufacturing.

"The China I observe today is no longer simply the world's factory. It is an innovation powerhouse — and China is setting the pace, not following it," said Conrad Keijzer, CEO of Clariant, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 in Dalian, Liaoning province.

According to Keijzer, China now accounts for 46 percent of global chemical production — more than the United States and Europe combined.

"Today, China is a genuine hub of industrial innovation, leading in advanced materials, battery technologies, renewable energy and AI-enabled manufacturing," he said.

Keijzer highlighted a pivotal shift in the global industrial landscape, noting that technological innovation has evolved from a one-way transfer from the West into a dynamic, two-way global exchange.

"The question is not whether China and the rest of the world are competitors. The question is whether we are partners in the transitions that matter most. I believe we can, and will be, both," he noted, adding that the scale of the green transition is simply too large for any single nation to navigate alone.

To capitalize on this shifting paradigm, Clariant is doubling down on its local presence. The company has invested over 300 million euros ($342 million) in recent years to upgrade its nine manufacturing facilities across the country and establish a world-class research and development center in Shanghai.

The high-end chemical solutions manufactured at these cutting-edge complexes — serving as the centerpiece of Clariant's expanding operational footprint — are expected to support a broad spectrum of downstream applications, thereby driving high-quality economic growth and deeply empowering China's energy transition, according to the executive.

This optimistic outlook on China's integrated supply chain is widely echoed by domestic industry observers.

The nation's petrochemical sector is funneling immense capital into green technologies and circular economy frameworks, perfectly syncing with national decarbonization targets, according to Fu Xiangsheng, vice-president of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation.

"The unparalleled scale of China's domestic market provides a vital buffer against global economic volatility," Fu said, adding that the country's fully integrated industrial ecosystem makes it an irreplaceable anchor for the global petrochemical supply chain.

Because of this vast, built-in demand, enterprises are able to rapidly scale up clean energy pilot projects and advanced materials production. This fully integrated industrial ecosystem, he added, not only accelerates the commercialization of these sustainable innovations but also makes the country an irreplaceable anchor for the global petrochemical supply chain.

To fully harness this global momentum and navigate the complex energy transition, Keijzer stressed that open, cross-border ecosystems are more crucial than ever.

Reinforcing Clariant's commitment to "resilient interdependence", Keijzer advocated for key policy advancements in China, such as fast-tracking a national green methanol standard and strengthening intellectual property protections to deepen technology collaboration.

These systemic frameworks are essential for the industry's next chapter, he noted. The central challenge is "creating the conditions — the right ecosystems, policies and partnerships — that allow innovations to move from idea to industrial reality faster than current frameworks permit," Keijzer said.

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn