Caterpillar is pursuing sustainability as part of its business plan in China, in support of China's strategy of sustainable development, said Stuart Levenick, Group President of Caterpillar Inc on Monday.

Speaking at the China Development Forum 2006 in Beijing, Levenick said China's goal of achieving sustainable economic growth in a harmonious social environment presents great opportunities for foreign companies, and Caterpillar is well positioned for continued growth in this emerging economy.

According to Levenick, Caterpillar is trying to reduce emissions from its diesel engines, a major way to support sustainable development.

Levenick said Caterpillar's new clean diesel technology, ACERT, is providing substantial reductions in nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons and particulate matter emissions. It is also reducing diesel fuel consumption, leading to less greenhouse gas emissions per unit of work performed.

Caterpillar is now also assisting various Chinese government agencies with their efforts to draft the first national emissions regulations for off-road equipment in China, promoting the establishment of an international standard.

Levenick said Caterpillar will also share its experience of remanufacturing - the process of turning a component at the end of its life into "brand new" condition - in China, which will reduce both waste and the raw materials required to produce new parts.

Levenick said Caterpillar's sales of machines and engines in China are increasing substantially and are expected to keep growing.

He noted that as a member of the World Trade Organization, China is fully engaged in trade talks with the United States and European trade partners to resolve disputes and has been reaching free trade agreements with ASEAN and neighboring countries to further promote trade and economic cooperation.

Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world's largest manufacturer of earthmoving, construction and mining equipment and a major global producer of diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.

In 2005, Caterpillar was ranked 57 on the exclusive Fortune 100 in the United States.

Caterpillar started its presence in China in the early 1970s. Today, it operates 13 factories in China, either joint venture or wholly-owned businesses.

Last year, Caterpillar acquired 40 percent stake in Shandong SEM Machinery Company, one of the leading wheel loader manufacturers in China. The year 2005 also saw the establishment of the Caterpillar China Innovation Center in Qingdao, providing technical sources to support Caterpillar's product development.

Currently, Caterpillar employs approximately 4,300 people in China.

Source: Xinhua