Chevron Oronite celebrates quarter-century presence in China

In a significant milestone, Chevron Oronite, a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, recently celebrated a quarter-century of its presence in China. The company commemorated this achievement with an event highlighting the successful operation of its manufacturing facility located in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

Tracing back to 1998, Chevron Oronite made its initial foray into the Chinese market by establishing a sales office in Beijing. Fast forward to today, the company’s footprint in China has grown exponentially. It now boasts an additional sales office, a Technology Support Center in Shanghai, and the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Ningbo.

The decision to construct a manufacturing facility in China was announced in 2015. By mid-2018, Ningbo, situated within the Ningbo Economic & Technical Development Zone (NETD), was chosen for its proximity to the Ningbo Port, a global leader in annual cargo throughput. The construction phase began in late 2018, and by 2020, the plant was fully operational. Commercial production commenced in 2021, ensuring a steady supply of components and additives to the Chinese clientele.

Mitra Kashanchi, president of Chevron Chemicals, emphasised China’s strategic importance to Chevron Oronite. “Our Ningbo plant is a testament to our commitment to grow not just in China but across the broader Asia region,” Kashanchi said. The facility enhances the company’s global supply chain, offering increased flexibility and security of supply across China and other parts of Asia.

The journey to this milestone wasn’t without challenges. The construction phase coincided with the global Covid-19 pandemic and was further tested by several severe weather events. Yet, the team’s determination ensured the plant’s completion as per the planned schedule, without any significant incidents.

Keng Yang Lim, general manager of Manufacturing and Supply Chain for the Asia Pacific Region at Chevron Oronite, lauded the team’s unwavering commitment. “From the project’s inception in 2015 to its successful operation today, the team has showcased remarkable resilience,” Lim said.