Afton Chemical Corporation Expands its China Technology Center

Singapore, January 10, 2017 – Global petroleum additive specialist Afton Chemical Corporation today announced the opening of its expanded China Technology Center located in Suzhou, which was marked by special visits from Yanyan Sun, Vice Chairman, Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee; Vivian Liu, Director, Investment Promotion Bureau as well as other IPB members. Xiaoqing Wu, Deputy Director of Economic Development Commission and Rose Gao, Secretary-General, Suzhou Industrial Park Service Outsourcing Association were also in attendance. 

Afton has unrivalled research and development facilities across the world, including Technology Centers in the US, Japan and the United Kingdom. At these facilities, we conduct testing to ensure our products meet or exceed the latest performance requirements of both OEM and Industry specifications. We also develop our own proprietary tests and design field trials to create compelling proof of performance data that helps our customers’ products stand out in their markets.

“Today’s opening of our expanded China Technology Center marks Afton’s continued commitment and investment in China and Asia Pacific,” said Sean Spencer, Vice President and Managing Director, Afton Chemical Asia. “More importantly, it enables us to better assist our customers in the region by delivering differentiated solutions that are designed and proven to meet the unique and demanding needs of the Chinese market.”

Our China Technology Center (CTC) has been designed to help us bring our customers’ differentiated technology claims to life. As part of this commitment the upgraded facility has newly installed research blending capacity to produce finished lubricants for testing in field trials and OEM validation tests. Additionally, our new teardown facilities will provide Afton’s customers firsthand access to real-world test data and imagery to support their product performance claims. 

“The upgrade and expansion of the analytical and mechanical laboratories, coupled with our new blending and teardown facilities, will allow us to more efficiently meet the needs of our OEM and oil company partners in China, as we will be able to conduct a greater number of tests here in the region,” said Jon Rock, Vice President, R&D, Afton Chemical Corporation. “It will also allow us to develop Afton proprietary tests that focus on the needs of Asia Pacific”.

The facility also sports a brand new 80-seat auditorium, upgraded meeting rooms and a Solutions Hall that showcases our market insight and application based technology capabilities.

“We wanted to have dedicated areas for customers to use when they visit the center,” said Winston Fong, Sales Director, Afton Chemical Asia. “We want to encourage customers to come and see how we can help them differentiate their product offerings. We want them to view firsthand the field trial vehicles using their lubricants, being torn down and the lubricant samples being tested, to see Afton’s technology solutions in action.” said Winston Fong, Afton Chemical Asia.

Afton looks forward to sharing our Passion for Solutions with our customers in China and around the world, helping them develop solutions that their customers will truly value.

About Afton Chemical Corporation

Afton Chemical Corporation is part of the NewMarket Corporation (NYSE: NEU) family of companies. Afton Chemical Corporation uses its formulation, engineering and marketing expertise to help their customers develop and market fuels and lubricants that reduce emissions, improve fuel economy, extend equipment life, improve operator satisfaction and lower the total cost of vehicle and equipment operation. Afton Chemical Corporation develops and sells an extensive line of unique additives for gasoline and distillate fuels, driveline fluids, engine oils and industrial lubricants. Afton Chemical Corporation supports global operations through regional headquarters located in Asia Pacific, EMEAI, Latin America and North America. Afton Chemical Corporation is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. For more information, visit www.aftonchemical.com.    

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Some of the information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Although NewMarket’s management believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations.  

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