(Yicai Global) Dec. 7 -- Dow Chemical has opened a new e-store on 1688, the online wholesale market run by Alibaba Group Holding, joining the ranks of other top global chemical firms.

The Michigan-based firm will begin selling its 14 best-sellers from the polyurethanes, food, agrichemicals, textiles, personal care and home decoration categories, it said in an online statement on Dec. 5. The shop will also offer specialized online services.

"Multiple global chemical companies have joined the 1688 platform in the past year -- proof of the aggressive pursuit of excellence by traditional manufacturing companies in the China market on the one hand, and an illustration of the market's great potential on the other hand," said Wang Hai, vice president of Alibaba Group. A third of the world's top 50 chemical firms now have stores on the platform, according to data from its website.

The flagship store follows in the footsteps of Evonik Industries, BASF and Covestro, all headquartered in Germany, Belgium's Solvay and France's Arkema. It also follows up on Dow's own Asia Pacific Digital Marketplace Center, its second in the world, which it opened in Shanghai in February.

Founded in 1987, Dow merged with chemicals giant DuPont in 2017 to form DowDuPont, the industry's largest firm in the world by sales. 1688 was set up in 1999 and focuses on wholesale trade. It opened an online mall in August and has so far partnered with 3,000 global brands to open stores on the platform, which is now attracting 18 times more daily visitors and 15 times as many buyers each day.

Editor: James Boynton