Multinationals embrace China's low-carbon growth opportuniti

TIANJIN, April 24 (Xinhua) -- In north China's Tianjin Municipality, a commercial compressor production facility operated by Danfoss, a Danish multinational firm, offers a glimpse into the future of manufacturing.

Powered by renewable electricity and equipped with automated production lines, the facility of this leading Danish energy-efficiency solutions provider cuts carbon emissions by around 28,000 tonnes annually.

The plant has been designated a "lighthouse factory," a term used to describe world-leading manufacturing sites that apply cutting-edge technologies to deliver transformative business and societal benefits.

China has emerged as one of the company's fastest-growing markets. Strong demand from sectors such as data centers and green shipping drove a 13 percent increase in its sales in China last year.

Kim Fausing, president and CEO of Danfoss, attributed the momentum to the close alignment between the company's low-carbon technology and China's policy direction. "Green transformation and high-quality development have become central to China's development agenda," Fausing said.

Danfoss now boasts 12 manufacturing bases, three application development centers, and one global refrigeration R&D and testing center in China.

China's pledge to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 is increasingly shaping how foreign companies invest in the country. For multinational firms, the transition brings both opportunities and pressure to adapt.

"There are significant opportunities for cooperation in green technology and sustainable development," said Christoph Schrempp with the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

A survey by the organization found that more than half of European businesses in China regard decarbonization as important to maintaining competitiveness.

Other multinational companies are also stepping up their efforts. The Tianjin facility of Cabot Corporation, a U.S. producer of special chemicals and high-performance materials, has been recognized as a national "green factory," reflecting its long-standing commitment to safe and sustainable operations, according to Jeff Ji Zhu, the company's executive vice president.

Cabot plans to deepen its investment in Tianjin, with about 36 million yuan earmarked for 2026 to expand production of high-performance materials used in industries such as electronics and automotive manufacturing.

Experts say the scope for collaboration remains broad. Maria Grazia Buratti, head of international cooperation of the Jobs Academy Foundation of Italy, highlighted green technology and digital economy as key areas where multinationals can strengthen ties with China.

"Over the next five years, the greatest opportunities for deepening cooperation lie in green technology, digital economy and education, areas where China's vision and capacity, paired with international expertise, can deliver truly win-win outcomes that benefit not just our two countries, but the global community as a whole," Buratti said.