MUTTENZ, Switzerland - Some 18 months after the signing of the joint venture agreement between Clariant and Hangzhou Baihe Chemical Co. Ltd. for the production of high-performance (HP) pigments in Hangzhou, southwest of Shanghai, China, the new facility has gone on-stream. This signifies a leap in the HP pigments market in China, making available pigments from local production that meet the high standards of the growing number of international customers with production facilities in China, as well as the needs of local customers.

At the new facility, which has a substantial capacity, Clariant will produce red and yellow HP pigments. The joint venture products will be marketed and sold by Clariant's international organization. For more information, see www.pa.clariant.com/.