Ubisoft Belgium builds new automotive catalyst plant in China

Belgium’s “Echo” reported on November 12 that Umicore, a Belgian environmental technology company, announced that it will invest approximately 10 million euros in a new automobile exhaust catalyst plant in China. The product will be mainly used for tail gas treatment of heavy trucks. The new plant is adjacent to Umicore's existing catalyst plant in Suzhou and is expected to start production in early 2014.

Umicore began investing in the construction of a catalyst plant in China in 2005, and has since expanded its production capacity. It has become one of the largest suppliers of automotive exhaust gas treatment catalysts in China. At present, China produces 2 million heavy trucks annually, making it the world's largest heavy truck market. In July 2013, China will implement new emission standards for automotive exhaust pollutants, which will bring new growth demands for catalysts for tail gas treatment.

Umicore officials said that Umicore has established an R&D center in Suzhou and has been able to develop and produce various automotive exhaust gas treatment catalyst products suitable for the needs of the Chinese market.