Hometown return achieves new business records

Zhu Ji, senior vice president of Cabot Corp and president of Cabot Asia Pacific, has been awarded the 2018 Shanghai Magnolia Award for his achievements both at work and in social influence.

Zhu, a Singapore citizen who was born in Shanghai in 1968, returned to his hometown six years ago to lead the Cabot Corp to not only develop its business in China but also to take on more social responsibilities.

Despite the increasing pressure on macroeconomic growth, Zhu led the firm to achieve new business records in China and promote the development of Shanghai as a global investment and innovation center.

Alongside growing the business, Zhu puts great emphasis on its responsibilities.

"I believe our company is successful only when our technical capabilities are interwoven with an intense commitment to sustainable business practices that ensure the well-being of our employees, customers and the communities in which we operate," he said.

"We are also proud of our progress in our safety and health performance and have one of the lowest injury rates when compared to global chemical manufacturing organizations," Zhu said.

Chemical industry is one of the pillar industry in economic development and key to the materials in various advance including large aircraft, clean energy auto. However, people have bias on the industry due to some irresponsible actions by some players. 

With a profound accumulation of knowledge and experiences in best practices in Safety, Healthy & Environment (SH&E), Cabot in China exerts itself to practice, advocate and promote Responsible Care widely in the industry under Zhu’s advocacy and leadership.

“We are the true practitioner of responsible care and the forerunner of promoting China chemistry industry upgrade ... Responsible Care is not an initiative originated in China, neither will it end here. Responsible Care is our belief and mission, and is vital to our and our descendants’ future,” he said.

Under Zhu's leadership, Cabot China has made community outreach an essential element of its business.

"Over the years, we have been actively engaged in projects providing aid to the disadvantaged and the handicapped, as well as in community welfare projects, to fulfill our commitment to responsible business behavior and sustainable practices," he said.

As an example, funding from Shanghai, Jiangxi and Tianjin gives scholarships to almost 200 outstanding students every year, and Cabot China has established two "Hope" elementary schools in Jiangxi and Xingtai.

"What is most impressive to me is the 'Gift of Sight' program hosted by the China Foundation for Disabled People, which we have participated in since 2010. To date more than 4,000 cataract patients have regained their sight with the help of this project, and their excited looks really touched me," he said.

As to the changes he had seen in Shanghai over the past few years, Zhu highlighted openness, diversity and remarkably rapid growth.

"Shanghai is becoming an increasingly more open city for both culture and business with greater social conditions and cultural and living environments," he said.

Zhu also aimed to boost the opening up of Shanghai and its communications with other countries and regions.

For example, he promoted an exchange training program between the safety, health and environmental protection team of Shanghai Huayi Group and the headquarters of Cabot in the United States.

Zhu also invited a string quartet from the Boston Conservatory of Music to perform in Shanghai, which helped promote cultural exchanges.

"I think it is really meaningful to help build up the communications and exchanges among various cultures in different countries," he said.

Zhu has noted improvements in the city's business environment over the years. He said the setting up of the joint venture by Cabot and Shanghai Huayi Group was surprisingly easy and convenient when it came to the company registration process.

"For future development, I expect the city to be more bold to push forward innovation and reforms as a pioneer, as Shanghai has the advantages to stand on the front lines of promoting China's policy of economic reform and opening up," Zhu said.