(Yicai Global) April 21 -- US chemical giant DuPont will build a USD30 million plant in eastern Jiangsu province that produces vehicle adhesives used in the batteries and bodies of electric cars to meet surging demand as the auto sector transitions to battery and hybrid new energy vehicles.

The plant, which will be located in the Zhangjiagang free trade zone, will begin construction in the third quarter and is expected to start operating in 2023, the Delaware-based firm said yesterday.

The factory will make thermal interfacial materials to support the thermal management of electric vehicles’ batteries during charging and running, it said. It will also produce composite adhesives used to seal and assemble batteries as well as vehicle body adhesives that can improve autos’ ability to withstand collisions and reduce their weight.

DuPont’s advanced solutions can meet carmakers’ huge demand arising from the transition to battery and hybrid EVs, said Randy Stone, president of the DuPont Mobility & Materials Business. The new plant will help the firm better support auto industry growth, he added.

DuPont Mobility & Materials, one of the century-old chemical giant’s key departments, now has production as well as research and development facilities in North America, Latin America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. These include a recently-built adhesive plant in Utsunomiya, Japan, the company added.

Editor: Kim Taylor