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A vote of confidence in Chengdu

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DuPont's Sichuan branch signs an agreement with the Sichuan University on research and development last year. The company is one of the sponsors of the Fortune Global Forum underway in the southwestern city. [China Daily]

An executive at US chemical giant DuPont said the multinational is committed to contributing to Chengdu and Sichuan's growth with a new joint venture that will begin operation soon.

Tony Su, president of DuPont Greater China, said the company plans to establish two innovation centers in China by 2015, "with one located in western China".

"We are committed to expanding our investment in Southwest China, working with local partners to develop technologies and applications that address the greatest global and local challenges," he told China Daily in an interview ahead of the ongoing Fortune Global Forum in Chengdu.

With themes of "sustainable development, innovation and technology, global finance and economic recovery, and the China century", the forum runs from Thursday to Saturday.

It is the first time a city in western China city has hosted what is arguably the world's most significant business gathering.

As one of the forum's sponsors, DuPont is highlighting the significance it attaches to Chengdu.

The capital of Sichuan province has advantages in commercial operations and market prospects, Su said.

"We see great growth potential in Chengdu because it is one of the fastest-growing cities in Southwest China and has great advantages in infrastructure, the business environment and talent," he said.

DuPont officially announced last August that it would establish a branch in Chengdu to collaborate with local partners to foster innovation and better serve the western markets in China.

"It marked a milestone in the growth of DuPont China, as we look to expand our presence in this region, and support China's 'Go-West' strategy," said Su.

Chengdu was named one of the 13 emerging megacities in China in a July 2012 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

"Our Chengdu branch office is expected to provide better support to local industries, customers and business partners, as well as to our future business growth and people development in the western part of China," Su said.

The city is developing into one of the powerhouses for China's sustainable development.

"Chengdu attaches great importance to the development of strategic emerging and high-tech industries, which is consistent with DuPont's direction and focus on food, energy and environmental protection," Su noted

"Both of the city and DuPont value developing technologies and products to meet the economic and social needs of the people's lives - new energy, electronic communications and other fields of new materials and new technology," he added.

One example is DuPont's cooperation in Sichuan with China National Chemical Corp, or known as ChemChina, a leader in China's chemical industry.

DuPont signed an agreement last September with Zhonghao Chenguang Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co to form a 50-50 joint venture for the production and marketing of fluoroelastomer gums and pre-compounds in China.

Based in Sichuan, the institute is a subsidiary of ChemChina.

Chengdu-made cars displayed at the Western China International Fair attract attention from visitors. The city is now the third-largest auto production center in the country and the biggest in the western region. DuPont is making products for the city's auto industry. [China Daily]

The joint venture will "hang out its shingle" in the near future and begin production, said Li Jia, general manager of the institute.

Chenguang has a leading position in China's fluoroelastomer market with a share of more than 50 percent, Li said.

A fluoroelastomer is a synthetic rubber that has wide chemical resistance and superior performance, especially at high temperatures.

Developed by DuPont in 1948, fluoroelastomer is widely used to seal pipe joints in car manufacturing.

The joint venture will combine DuPont's cutting-edge fluoroelastomer technology, global reach and strong DuPont Viton brand with Chenguang's comfortable manufacturing position and strong presence in China to yield new capabilities for serving customers, said Li.

Li said Chenguang "aims to shift to the high-end fluoroelastomer market".

"We mainly eye providing products to the environmental protection and car making industries," she said.

With more than 410,000 vehicles produced in the city last year, Chengdu is now the nation's third-largest automobile production center and the biggest in the western region.

"From DuPont's perspective, there are many collaboration opportunities with local enterprises in electronic materials, photovoltaic solar energy, agriculture, nutrition and healthcare and other fields," Su said.

"Working together we can help meet the challenges we all face now and will continue to face in the future, for a better and brighter future."