The capital increase project for HighChem's second catalyst plant and the new membrane project have been signed in the Nantong Economic and Technological Development Zone, marking a new example of sustained investment by foreign enterprises in the zone.
HighChem was established in Tokyo, Japan, in 1998 and is the largest Chinese-owned chemical enterprise in Japan.
In 2011, the company established a presence in NETDA by founding HighChem (Jiangsu) Chemical New Materials, with an initial investment of approximately $45 million, focused on the research, development, and production of high-end catalysts. In 2025, the company established HighChem (Nantong) Technology Materials to build the second catalyst plant project.
This latest investment adds $30 million to the original investment, primarily targeting high-tech products such as SCR denitrification catalysts and high-temperature acid- and alkali-resistant membranes for chemical processes. Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with production expected to begin in 2028.
Another new membrane project has a total investment of 30 million yuan ($4.39), focusing on new membrane products such as the flat membrane series and components, high-concentration membranes and high-temperature flat membranes, further expanding the market space for high-end membrane materials.
Infographic:
A look at China's economy in H1 of 2026