Food-safe ink producer opens plant in Gaolan zone

The world's third-largest ink manufacturer initiated its Zhuhai manufacturing base in the Gaolan Port Economic Zone on July 6. Siegwerk Group is expected to yield an annual output value of more than 100 million yuan ($14.7 million) in its first year.

Covering 10,000 sq m, the $20 million operation will produce environmentally friendly packaging coatings for the food industry.

Founded in 1830, Siegwerk employs 4,000 people and has branches across 36 countries and regions. Its printing ink for food packaging produces is eco-friendly and non-toxic. The group's annual sales revenue is nearly 1.1 billion euros ($12.56 million).

The chosen site used to belong to another manufacturer, according to the Investment Promotion Center of the Gaolan Port Economic Zone Administrative Committee. 

Gaolan production base of Siegwerk Group [Photo by Zhang Zhou/Zhuhai Daily]

Siegwerk completed merger and acquisition of the company and started operations within six months, thanks to the local authorities' efforts regarding idle factories and investment promotion.

A government official said the project is in line with Gaolan's target to enlarge and strengthen the fine chemicals industry, and will help to form complete upstream and downstream industries. The development of port-vicinity industry in Gaolan will also be given strong impetus.

Siegwerk has enjoyed steady international market, gaining momentum mainly from China, according to a company executive. Over the past few years, sales revenue in the Chinese market has increased by nearly 20 percent. As a result, the company will expand investment in the production base in the following two or three years to develop a complete industry chain at Gaolan Port.