Innovating to promote green chemicals

Arkema is a global chemical company and France’s leading chemical manufacturer. Since its listing in Paris in 2006, Arkema has been thriving in the business areas it covers, and 90% of its business is ranked among the top three in the world. . In the past two decades, Arkema’s business in China has gradually grown and expanded. At present, the Chinese market has ranked among Arkema’s three major markets in the world.

Since entering the Chinese market, Arkema has made in-depth investment in the local market and continuously strengthened the Group's business development here. In recent years, with the changes in the Chinese market, Arkema has ushered in new opportunities for development. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, China will continue to deepen economic transformation and upgrade, further realize sustainable development and environmental friendliness. This is an excellent development opportunity for Arkema, which is constantly developing green innovation and environmental protection products.

"The Chinese market is one of the strategic focuses of our development."

Mr. Thierry Le Hénaff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Arkema, visited China again this year and once again stressed: “The Chinese market is one of the strategic focuses of our development.” Facing this opportunity and challenge coexist In the market, Arkema made a specific strategic layout. “At present, Arkema has a total of 12 product lines in the world, of which 9 product lines have entered China, mainly due to two considerations: We hope to better capture the growth opportunities in the Chinese market through localized R&D production; China The production base can also better meet the needs of the Asian market."

In addition, Leienaf said, “Our work will focus first on existing projects and investments, further deepening and strengthening our capabilities in research and innovation, and making better use of the manufacturing resources we have invested in China.”

Innovation, Arkema's key driver

Arkema has always regarded innovation as the top priority for corporate sustainability. Arkema spends 2.5% of its total global turnover on product research and development, and is committed to developing sustainable innovation solutions to meet current and future market needs. In 2015, Arkema won the Thomson Reuters “Top 100 Global Innovator” annual list for the fifth year in a row, and its innovation capability was recognized by the industry. “Arkema is more than just a chemical company. We develop high value-added product solutions for multiple applications. We are an innovation-driven company. We are designers of high-performance materials and innovative solutions.” Ray Mr. Ennaf said.

In 2016, Arkema will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Mr. Leienoff expressed his expectation. “In the past decade, we have grown and thrived in the world, and we have stepped forward and strengthened our deep strategic transformation to promote our deepening transformation. Let us help our customers face new challenges.”

In the world, Arkema has a clear strategic focus in the medium and long term. “We will make full use of the potential of the new adhesives platform established with Bostik and accelerate the development of HPM through innovative R&D and reinforcement acquisitions. At the same time, we have five priority development priorities: Asia*s chemical platform, A new generation of fluorine gas products, acrylic downstream industries, composite materials and advanced high-performance thermoplastics, as well as oil and gas additives."

In the Chinese market, Arkema serves the local market at close range through the Changshu R&D Center and the domestic application laboratory. Talking about specific innovation projects in the Chinese market, Mr. Leienoff pointed out: “Our innovation and R&D will be carried out in several areas, such as long-chain polymer materials, applications in the sports and automotive industries, and the solar industry. Organic peroxide."

"The Chinese market is still full of opportunities"

Arkema believes that China's development trend is full of opportunities. The Chinese market is crucial to Arkema. Now it is, and the future will be the same.

China's economic development has entered a more mature stage, with a per capita GDP of about 7,500 US dollars. Although China's economic growth has been relatively slow, it is also normal. The economic slowdown has shown different trends in different industries, but China is still one of the strongest growth markets.

Mr. Leiennav, “We have prepared for the transformation of the Chinese market. The current economic trend will not change our commitment to serving the Chinese market and the Asian market. This is still an important growth area for Arkema. We have invested heavily in the area of ​​special polymer and acrylic acid production chains and entered the adhesives market through the acquisition of Bosco. At the same time, we are also building a new brand at Arkema’s world’s largest production platform, Changshu Base. Fluorine gas and organic peroxide production line."

In order to better realize Arkema’s expectation for the Chinese market, Mr. Leienaf said: “We will fully mobilize the Group’s R&D resources in China. At the same time, Arkema’s globalization mechanism includes the most Good practices will also further ensure the sustainable development of China's business."

“The introduction of environmental protection regulations provides Arkema with a new development opportunity”

In 2015, China successively introduced a series of environmental protection-related laws and regulations. “For Arkema, the introduction of environmental protection regulations has provided us with a new opportunity for development.” Mr. Leienaf said, “Arkema takes very seriously The theme of climate change has always been to reduce the environmental footprint and provide customers with sustainable and innovative solutions.For example, the demand for low-VOC products in the Chinese market will continue to grow, and lithium batteries will replace traditional lead-acid batteries. Things will be more welcomed by the market."

Arkema is very supportive of sustainable development on a global scale. At the 21st UN Climate Conference (COP21) held in Paris this year, Arkema participated in the "Climate Noah's Ark" program launched by the French government as an official supplier and created the official ambassador for COP21 - 140 Only animals on the Noah's Ark provided materials. Arkema also put forward a commitment to support a low-carbon economy and help the General Assembly reach a sustainable, sustainable global climate convention.

Not only in Paris, but also this sustainable development trend has been fully implemented in China. "As a responsible producer of chemical products, Arkema has initiated a series of initiatives to address environmental challenges, including environmental initiatives at its Shanghai plant, and the development of water-based coatings, among others."

"Arkema is the ideal career development area"

Talent is an important development engine for enterprise development, and it is also true for Arkema. In the face of a dynamic market like China, Mr. Leienaf said: "Arkema's competitiveness comes from innovation, leading technology, and high-quality talent."

As for how to further train talents, Mr. Leienoff stated that “Arkema has many world-leading business areas and also created a large number of career development opportunities for employees. We have a well-developed talent training and management mechanism that is mature. With the support of training mechanisms, young talents have the opportunity to take on important responsibilities. For people who are ambitious in the field of chemicals, Arkema is the ideal place for career development."

In China, Arkema has long been concerned about the cultivation and development of young talents. Mr. Leienaf made an example, saying that Arkema established and awarded scholarships at East China University of Science and Technology for eight consecutive years. At the end of 2015, Mr. Dai Renwei, president of Arkema Greater China, visited more than 10 outstanding students in person on campus. A scholarship was awarded and Arkema provided about 50 jobs for Chinese graduates in 2016. “I am very pleased to see that many Chinese young people are eager to join us. ”