CPI Engineering Services, a division of The Lubrizol Corporation, announced its plans last Thursday to partner with Oxea Chemicals to establish manufacturing capabilities in Nanjing China. The manufacturing plant will allow additional capacity to produce CPI's synthetic refrigeration lubricants, which are suitable for use with ozone-friendly and low global warming potential refrigerants in the Asian marketplace.

Refrigeration lubricants, designed to function at extreme temperatures and improve operational and energy efficiency, are used by some of the world's largest original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in commercial and industrial refrigeration, as well as in service-fill applications.

The China facility will produce CPI's Emkarate® brand refrigeration lubricants. Production is anticipated in first quarter 2014.

Commenting on the partnership CPI's president, Tom Rajewski, states. "This additional manufacturing capability will help ensure we provide ample capacity for the evolving Asian market. We are designing the facility to provide flexibility for our key OEM customers. We anticipate the benefits will include increased efficiency, shorter lead times and improved overall logistics."

Barrie Spence, director of business for refrigeration at CPI comments. "This new partnership signals CPI's long-term commitment to the region. Our OEM customers are looking for partners that are committed to growing with them. We are serious about our intentions in the marketplace and we will not be timid about investing in the region and partnering to capitalize our continued growth."

Separately, but directly related, Oxea announced also last Thursday that its aforementioned plant in Nanjing Industrial Chemical Park, China, has successfully passed the planning stage and construction is under way. Oxea expects its new Nanjing plant to be mechanically complete at the end of 2013.

The new state-of-the-art production site will serve the fast-growing demand for oxo derivatives in China and Asia. Oxo derivatives are key ingredients and are used in nearly all sectors of China’s economy, including automotive, construction, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and personal care products.

Cristóbal Ascencio, Vice President of Marketing Oxo Derivatives at Oxea, addressed the manifold application areas of Oxea’s specialty esters that will be produced at Nanjing: “Our new plant will allow us to service the booming Asian market for plasticized PVB film. And, among others, our specialty esters are important building blocks for the production of eco-efficient lubricants for compressors.”

Emkarate® is a registered trademark of The Lubrizol Corporation.