SINGAPORE - Swiss chemical logistics firm Bertschi has opened a S$45 million facility in Jurong Island, as the company makes its first move into South-east Asia.

The facility, which sits on a 329,483 sq ft site, was launched on Friday. Its services, which will cater to specialty chemical companies, include handling and storage for dangerous goods, isotank storage, blending, drumming and repackaging services.

"The shifting focus to specialty chemicals is not just confined to Europe, as our latest investment illustrates," said Mr Hans-Jorg Bertschi, president and chief executive of the Bertschi Group.

"New plants on Jurong Island are able to maximise their processes with optimum efficiency. They will require less capital expensiture as they can now outsource their processes to Bertschi," he noted, adding that Belgian chemical firm Solvay Novecare was its first customer.

Mr Bertschi also said that Singapore, as South-east Asia's largest chemical hub and the main gateway to Asia, is the "ideal location" for Bertschi to set up its Asian headquarters.

To meet the growing needs of its customers, the company also plans to invest more than S$20 million in a second dangerous goods warehouse, to be completed in the second half of 2017, he said.

Said Mr Damian Chan, executive director of energy and chemicals at the Singapore Economic Development Board: "While better known for its refineries and petrochemical complexes, Jurong Island has in recent years welcomed more manufacturing activities in specialty chemicals.

"Such manufacturing activities require specialised logistic capabilities, and the addition of Bertschi is an exampl of how we continually ensure Jurong Island remains competitive."