DuPont Breaks Ground for New Coatings Plant in China

New Shanghai Site is Part of Transformation Strategy

WILMINGTON, Del., May 16 -- DuPont has begun construction of a new world-class coatings plant in the Jiading district of Shanghai. When completed next year, it will serve a variety of automotive and industrial markets in China.

"Recently, we began the transformation of our Performance Coatings businesses to better serve our global markets," said Terry Caloghiris, group vice president, DuPont Coatings & Color Technologies. "This new plant is an excellent example of how we are redesigning our business to respond quickly and effectively with high-quality, technologically advanced products to rapidly growing markets such as those in China."

Operations at the new plant are expected to begin in late 2007. The facility will employ approximately 250 people initially. Products will include coatings for use in automotive and a range of industrial applications.

The Jiading plant will be the company's 10th finishes-related investment in China. DuPont invested $20 million in facility and technology improvements in a plant it acquired in 2004 to establish an advanced automotive finishes manufacturing site in Changchun. The company also operates four powder coatings plants in China that are part of a joint venture, a refinish technical center in Shanghai and training centers for automotive aftermarket customers in Beijing and Shanghai. A technical and distribution service center dedicated to the automotive manufacturing industry is also located in Shanghai.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries and regions, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel. Information about DuPont is available at http://www.dupont.com/.