JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #37 - December 2007 - 24

BUSINESS Market survey: China New DSM sizing plant in China Last September 10, DSM celebrated the opening of a new sizing plant located in the Xinghuo site, near Shanghai, China. The new plant will produce a wide range of sizing and binder products under the trade name NeoxiI. T he performance of a composite is dependent on many factors such as design, manufacturing technique, resin (thermoplastic or thermoset), and fibre reinforcement. A critical component determining the fibres’ performance is the sizing (coating) that is applied to the fibre. In glass-fibre production, although the sizing layer is very thin and contributes to only about 0.5-1.0% of the weight, it plays a vital role in protecting the glass from breaking or abrasion, ensures compatibility with the resin matrix, and promotes desired properties such as strength, processing, colour, etc. Working closely with customers The operation of the new plant will enable DSM to work closely with customers in the Chinese and Asian markets and develop innovative, high-quality, reinforced glass-fibre solutions. It will also greatly benefit end users in industries such as automotive, wind power, and publicfacilities construction. DSM Neoxil is fully dedicated to the glassfibre reinforcement industry. For over 30 years, Neoxil has been a world-leading brand name in sizings and binders for that industry, and is now taking 25% of global market share in this sector. DSM Neoxil is supported by sales managers based in Europe, China, and the United States. The combination of regional and global teams ensures that customer needs are understood, translated into chemistry and delivered as fast as possible. Global technical support is provided from the Neoxil Innovation Centre based in Filago, Italy. Chinese and Asian markets There are strong growth opportunities for sizings and binders in glass-fibre reinforcement in Asia, particularly in the Chinese market. The new plant will produce Neoxil products to the same high quality, safety and environmental standards that have made the brand a benchmark for fibre sizing emulsions, with improved services and faster delivery from which new and existing customers will greatly benefit. In today's automotive and electronics industries, glass-fibre-reinforced parts continue to replace metal because of their superior advantages in weight and strength. As a result, China's glass-fibre industry has been growing rapidly since year 2000. It is expected to continue to grow at about twenty percent per year and it is anticipated that China will become the world's largest market for glass fibres in terms of capacity. Mr. Jiang Weiming, president of DSM China, believes that the new plant will reinforce DSM’s position as the global market leader in the development and manufacture of sizings and binders. The new plant opening is a testament to DSM’s ambitious plans in the fastgrowing Chinese market and fits closely with the objectives of the longterm strategy “Vision 2010 – Building on strengths”. Composite-resin growth strategy by 2010 The Resins division is expecting €1,400 million (M) in sales for 2007, including €500M from the Composite Resins business unit, €800M from the Coating Resins business unit and €100M from DSM Desotech. According to the strategic plan unveiled by John van Osch, director of DSM Composite Resins, the business unit’s sales should New sizing plant: Neoxil bird’s view JEC Composites Magazine / No37 December 2007

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #37 - December 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #37 - December 2007