Covering an area of 18,000 square metres in Jiuting of Shanghai's Songjiang District, the site is expected to be operational in late 2002 to coincide with DuPont's 200th anniversary.

"It is our strong belief in Shanghai's prospects and our extensions in China," said Jeff Keefer, DuPont vice-president. "And we will fulfil our commitment to environmental friendliness."

An international team of highly qualified people will staff the customer service laboratories and train local experts, Keefer said.

The integrated centre will incorporate DuPont's sales, marketing, warehousing, technical service and research laboratories to serve DuPont's international customers of TiO2, one of its well known products used for coating, plastics and graphic arts.

DuPont, which outputs 4 million tons of TiO2 annually, occupies 25 per cent of the world market and provides China with 250,000 tons per year.

The company envisions a fast growing demand and more competitive market for the product in China as people improve their quality of life.

"The centre is decisive to enhance the competitiveness of DuPont customers with lower inventory costs and quicker response to market changes," said Charles G. Browne, president of DuPont China.

(China Daily November 13, 2001)