CLEVELAND – The Lubrizol Corp. broke ground on its new additive plant in China, the centerpiece of its previously announced 10-year investment plan to upgrade operations and increase its global capacity in lubricant additives.

The manufacturing site in South China, within the Zhuhai Gaolan Port Economic Zone, will be developed and phased in to meet market demand. By phasing in select capacity additions in China, Lubrizol aims to respond to lubricant growth in Asia and better match its manufacturing footprint with global demand patterns. The site is ideally located for exporting products throughout the region.

The plant is scheduled to commence operations in the first half of 2013. Production at the plant will focus on select additive components, eventually incorporating driveline, industrial and fuel components, manufacturing, and blending. It is estimated that the Zhuhai facility will require an investment in excess of $200 million over the next three years. The new plant will complement Lubrizol's existing joint venture, Lanzhou Lubrizol Lanlian Additive Co. Ltd.