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Durham's Devine Chemicals marks thirtieth year with Chinese partnership

Durham-based chemicals firm Devine Chemicals has announced the formation of a new partnership with the Chinese state-owned company Yunnan Xinli.

The announcement comes as the business celebrates thirty years in business this year, after founder Jim Devine formed the company in 1986.

Devine Chemicals produces premium quality product ranges such as DeCAL Additives – a range of acrylic thickeners and dispersants. Devine Chemicals also distribute a range of carefully sourced products including pigments such as DeTOX Titanium Dioxide.

Its deal with Yunnan Xinli began when Devine Chemicals became the first international company outside China to place orders and distribute Xinli’s Titanium Dioxide pigments.

Applications of Titanium Dioxide pigments’ include use within plastics, paints, coatings, paper and inks. Recently, Yunnan Xinli’s Titanium Dioxide has been approved for use in the automotive sector in North America.

The partnership was formed as a result of Devine Chemicals’ search for a company able to manufacture Titanium Dioxide pigments using an advanced chloride process to provide improved whiteness and chemical stability.

As a state-owned joint venture Yunnan Xinli also receives significant investment to support manufacturing and development of the supply chain. This includes a joint venture in Mozambique to annually extract one million tonnes of ilmenite for 25 years.

Jim Devine, managing director, commented: “It is truly rewarding to see how far we have come in the last 30 years. We have always taken pride in our technical expertise and specialist knowledge, at the core of our business from the beginning.

“It’s proven by our development of the DeCAL and Titanium Dioxide ranges, which have added to our already extensive range of speciality chemical products.”

The company is increasing its exposure and the number of products to increase export sales globally. Part of this process involves the recent appointment of a new area sales manager – Will Norris – whose experience in the plastics sector is set to be instrumental in securing the company new business in this field.

Will previously worked for Croda Chemicals the global speciality chemical manufacturer, initially as a product assurance coordinator then a sales representative for polymer additives in the UK and Ireland.

Will is responsible for selling and promoting Devine Chemicals’ products to current and existing customers, alongside developing and maintaining new business partner relationships.

Jim added: “Appointing Will Norris means we can further demonstrate our technical expertise in key sectors, such as plastics, and drive the business forward.”

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