Hatch-Zhongshe joint venture to target environmental challenges in China

Announcement coincides with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's inaugural visit to China

SHANGHAI, China, Sept. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a commercial signing ceremony in Shanghai today which marked the formal establishment of a new joint venture between Hatch and the Zhongshe Baiqi Joint Investment Development Co. Ltd. The newly-formed Hatch Beijing Environment & Technology Co. Ltd. (HBET) will focus on providing solutions to some of the most serious environmental issues facing China today.

The HBET joint venture will draw on Zhongshe's financial strengths and Hatch's deep technical expertise and decades of environmental experience in the resources, energy, infrastructure and municipal sectors.  The signing ceremony for Canadian and Chinese companies was held in conjunction with the Canada China Business Council annual gala, which was attended by Prime Minister Trudeau during his inaugural visit to China, and by Canada's Minister of International Trade, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland.

"Today, we're building on Hatch's strong commitment to China and moving forward to deliver a new level of environmental services and innovation," said Joe Lombard, Hatch Global Managing Director for Metals. "Hatch is now uniquely positioned to help advance China's environmental priorities, bringing together our top technical and environmental experts from around the globe."  

Lombard emphasized the close working relationship with Zhongshe as a key to future success.  "We're deeply gratified to have Zhongshe as our partner, one of China's preeminent companies with involvement in multiple sectors and industries across the country. Through this partnership, Hatch will introduce clean technologies and execute world-leading environmental remediation and management programs that support China's policies to protect and improve the environment." 

"The Hatch Beijing Environment & Technology Co. Ltd. is a new player in the field of Chinese environmental protection," said Mr. Ma Jian Fei, Chairman, Zhongshe. "Through the joint efforts of the Canadian and Chinese company, it will play an important role in water treatment, soil remediation, solid waste disposal, river and lake recovery, and new, environmentally-friendly materials in China. We look forward to bluer skies, cleaner water and a better environment in China."

For Hatch's global team, HBET will open up new opportunities to supply and implement best-in-class environmental methods and state-of-the-art technologies, both acquired and developed in-house. The joint venture builds on Hatch's 40-year history in China during which the company has provided engineering, project management, and technology transfer to some of China's major state-owned and private enterprises, notably QSLIC, Baosteel, Galaxy Lithium, and Angang Steel.

Based in the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Area, HBET will provide environmental management, evaluation, planning, consultation, and delivery of environmental projects, including cleanup, technical training for engineers, and the promotion of new environmental technologies.

Hatch in China

Hatch's long-standing history in China and with Chinese companies involves major industrial projects and clients in the mining and metals sector.  Hatch's presence on the mainland is reflected by over 150 employees and offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenyang.  With the formation of HBET, Hatch now has four joint ventures with Chinese companies and has provided over half a billion dollars in services over the last 20 years. 

Since 2009, Hatch has played a key role in the development of the QSLIC industrial complex in Golmud, which today features the world's largest, state-of-the-art magnesium smelter and calcium carbide furnaces, engineered and built using Hatch technology.  Chinese President Xi Jinping recently visited QSLIC and commended the complex facility's industry-leading design, environmental safeguards and exemplary contribution to the development of China's resources and circular economy. Hatch holds a Class A Design License from Chinese authorities, which provides the same status as other design institutes in the country to directly design, manage, and deliver projects in the Chinese metallurgical industry.  

About Hatch

Whatever our clients envision, our engineers can design and build. With over six decades of business and technical experience in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors, we know your business and understand that your challenges are changing rapidly.  We respond quickly with solutions that are smarter, more efficient and innovative. We draw upon our 9,000 staff with experience in over 150 countries, including China, to challenge the status quo and create positive change for our clients, our employees, and the communities we serve.

About Zhongshe Baiqi Joint Investment Development Co. Ltd.

Zhongshe Baiqi Joint Investment Development Co. Ltd. was founded in 2006. This group of diversified, independent companies engages in emerging industries and in acquiring the scarce resources China needs. Zhongshe's strategic initiatives involve project financing and investment, asset and business management, and consultation and information services. Known for employing the best resources, talents and technologies in China, Zhongshe focuses on community and public welfare in industries that include unconventional oil & gas, environmental services, finance, health care, sole concession lottery operations and security.

SOURCE HATCH

Image with caption: "Joe Lombard, Hatch Managing Director for Metals, with Canada's Minister of International Trade, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, and Mr. Ma Jian Fei, Chairman, Zhongshe at the signing ceremony to establish the Hatch Beijing Environment & Technology Co. Ltd. (CNW Group/HATCH)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160901_C3121_PHOTO_EN_764140.jpg

Image with caption: "Hatch (CNW Group/HATCH)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160901_C3121_PHOTO_EN_764142.jpg

Nancy White, Director, Marketing & Communications, Hatch, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Simon Dai, Manager, Marketing & Communications, Hatch China, Tel: [phone], Cell: [phone], Email: [email protected]