Clariant launches new flagship online store for customers in China 

• Products available at https://clariant.1688.com are aimed at small-and medium-sized buyers
• Clariant expects to reach more customers in out-lying areas
• 3-D printing materials, masterbatches, additives, organic pigments and desiccants are among featured products at launch

Shanghai, March 7, 2018 – Clariant, a world-leader in specialty chemicals, has opened its online flagship store on 1688, a business-to business platform within Alibaba group, to provide better products and services to small- and medium-sized businesses in China.

Supported by a population that fully embraces online commerce and a well-established infrastructure with full support foronline transaction and logistics fulfillment, the e-commerce marketplace in China is growing at a phenomenal speed that outpaces any other major economy. The new Clariant online flagship store at 1688 will expand Clariant's sales footprint and meet the needs of small- and medium-sized buyers with Clariant products and services.

"The e-marketplace in China is playing an increasingly important role within the overall economy and we believe this growth trend will continue," says Jan Kreibaum, Regional President of Clariant Greater China/South Korea. "By launching the flagship store, we strongly believe that Clariant is getting even closer to becoming a true China Insider - in China, for China."

Flagship products from various Clariant business units being featured at the launch of the 1688 flagship store include plastics filaments for 3D printing, masterbatches, additives, organic pigments and desiccants. These will be of interest to customers in such industrial sectors as transportation, packaging, plastics processing, paints and coatings. Well-known brands on offer include Hydrocerol® chemical foaming agent, Remafin® color masterbatches, Hostanox® antioxidant, Locomont® lubricating and nucleating agent, Graphtol® and Hansa® organic pigments, and Container Dri® II desiccants. More Clariant products are in the pipeline for the online flagship store.

"1688 is committed to offering dynamic product supply and services for Chinese small- and medium-sized companies in China since establishment," said Yiming Chen, General Manager of 1688 Industrial Market Business, Alibaba. "We believe that the cooperation with Clariant will enrich the industrial market supply of 1688. And we hope to help Clariant products reach a larger range of area in China, offer better services to their customers and find new sales growth opportunities."

Belonging to the Alibaba Group, the 1688.com is a professional portal for industrial sourcing and marketing with many brand owners and authorized distributors. It offers product purchasing channels from international manufacturers, and value-added services, such as payment and logistics for on-line and off-line businesses.

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