German alumina leader Almatis breaks ground on 4th Qingdao plant

Almatis, a global leader in aluminum technology, began construction on its fourth expansion project in the Qingdao Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, or Qingdao FTZ, on Aug 28, 27 years after first entering the city.

Since establishing its Qingdao base in 1998, Almatis's Qingdao subsidiary has become a crucial upstream material supplier in the city's new display industry chain, significantly boosting the local advanced manufacturing sector.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Almatis expansion phase IV project takes place. [Photo/WeChat account: zhongdeshengtaiyuan]

Gao Shanwu, director of the Qingdao FTZ Administration Committee, highlighted that Almatis's expansions "show strong confidence among foreign investors" in the zone's business climate.

"The zone has used its national reform platform to expand institutional openness and promote integrated development across shipping, trade, finance, and manufacturing. German-funded enterprises have deeply integrated with the local industrial chain, contributing to significant increases in key indicators such as foreign trade and foreign capital utilization," Gao added.

The Frankfurt-based group, founded in 1915, is a multinational and the world's largest producer of advanced alumina compounds. Its Qingdao plant has gone from a single-process line to three full-process lines, serving both traditional and emerging industries.

The latest expansion aims to further scale up new material production, enhancing the gathering of upstream and downstream industries and propelling the region's manufacturing towards high-end, intelligent, and green development.

To date, the Qingdao FTZ has attracted 67 German-funded (including German-speaking regions) enterprises, including two Fortune Global 500 companies and 14 industry leaders, spanning advanced manufacturing, vocational education, R&D, and green building.

An aerial view of the Almatis Qingdao subsidiary, based in Qingdao FTZ, Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo/WeChat account: qdxihaianfabu]