Fuel and lubricant additives manufacturer Afton Chemical is to expand its chemical additive manufacturing facility in Singapore, adding more component production units.
The company said on Aug. 19 that the board of NewMarket Corp., its parent company, has approved the second phase of construction at the site on Jurong Island, Singapore. The first phase is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015.
"Our Asia Pacific customers have unique sets of challenges that require unique solutions. This investment will allow us to fulfill our vision of making customized solutions for the region in the region," explained Rob Shama, president of Afton Chemical.
"This additional capacity in combination with our new R&D center and expanding team makes it easier to deliver our promise of giving our customers a competitive advantage in their markets."
Afton also maintains its regional headquarters in Singapore and operates additional regional manufacturing facilities in Suzhou, China. It has technical centers in Tsukuba, Japan, and Suzhou, China, and commercial offices in Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, China; Guangzhou, China; Seoul, South Korea; Sydney, Australia; Bangkok, Thailand; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
According to Gina Harm, vice president of supply, the location in Singapore is ideal for serving the broader ASEAN region, with access to markets in China and the Middle East.
Welcoming the new expansion, she said: "This is a significant investment, which is a key component of our long range plan to improve our business continuity plan and security of supply for all of our customers, particularly our global and multinational customers."
The new phase of construction will more than double Afton’s investment in Jurong Island to a total of approximately S$400 million ($284 million). Work is scheduled to be completed in 2017.
