Clariant gave center-stage to China’s sustainable development at its second Sustainability Dialog Summit. Held in Shanghai, this year’s event underlined Clariant’s commitment to helping customers respond to the Megatrend-driven sustainability and innovation needs reflected in China’s New Normal and 13th Five-Year-Plan.

More than 200 Chinese customers, distributors, suppliers and authorities joined presentations, panel discussions and parallel sessions offering insights from Clariant specialists and external experts on China’s sustainability challenges and performance. With the government now actively influencing customers and markets towards more sustainable solutions, Clariant demonstrated its proactive support through products and services linked to three global Megatrends affecting the country and its manufacturing framework: Environmental Protection; Globalization & Urbanization; and Resources & Energy.

Senior management representatives presented innovative products addressing aspects such as the reduction of harmful industrial emissions, fertilizer production and crop protection solutions to sustainably safeguard world food supplies, options to convert agricultural residues into biofuels, and safe, environmentally-compatible fire protection for buildings.

Company-wide and specific local environmental and social responsibility initiatives to support the country’s progress were presented to the engaged audience. For example, regional availability of EcoTain products, Clariant’s portfolio screened against specific sustainability criteria, and the dedicated HOPES community program to promote education and sustainable development in China, which has benefitted more than 800 young people to date.

The company’s high level of commitment to supporting its Chinese customers is reflected in the recent relocation to China of Executive Committee Member Christian Kohlpaintner. As part of his responsibilities, Kohlpaintner is steering the project team behind Clariant’s One Clariant Campus in Shanghai, an integrated facility with Regional Headquarters and a new regional R&D center, scheduled for completion in Q1 2019.

Executive Committee member Christian Kohlpaintner, commented: “Having a Chinese presence at top executive management level and targeted investments in plants and infrastructure is very important to Clariant’s support for current and future customers in this country and the wider region. It reflects how seriously we take our commitment. Environmental and social responsibility are fundamental to future economic success and by offering products that add value through sustainability, we can make a positive contribution to the future development of China. Through global initiatives like the Sustainability Dialog and our Open Innovation website platform we will foster connections with local innovators and encourage dialog and collaboration to achieve sustainable success.”