Tuesday, November 07, 2000, updated at 19:21(GMT+8)
Business
Shanghai Becomes Important Essence Production Base
A Sino-Swiss joint venture with an annual essence production capacity of 5,000 tons began operation recently.
Juerg Witmer, chief executive officer with the Switzerland-based Givaudan company, said at the opening ceremony that Givaudan has seen an over 20 percent increase in sales of essence and flavorings in China over the past two years, a much higher increase than in other countries.
A global leader in essence production, Givaudan formed a joint venture in cooperation with the Shanghai Medical Group five years ago. Upon the completion of the second-phase in construction, the total investment reached 14.5 million US dollars and the production capacity rose from the previous 1,000 tons to the current 5,000 tons.
Meanwhile, Givaudan has moved its Chinese headquarters from Hong Kong to Shanghai and placed its fourth research and development center in Shanghai.