MOSCOW (MRC) -- Arkema, a France-based chemical manufacturer, has announced a 25% Kynar PVDF capacity increase on its Changshu platform near Shanghai, said the producer in its press release.
This project will help meet the strong demand, in particular in new energies and water treatment applications. This investment will support the group’s ambition in Technical Polymers, and is part of its strategy to speed up the growth of its High Performance Materials division.
Through this investment, Arkema, which operates production facilities on the three continents of Europe, North America and Asia, asserts its world-leading position in this business.
Following the doubling of its Kynar fluoropolymers production capacity in Changshu in 2012, this latest 25% increase in the plant’s capacity will enable Arkema to further suport the growth of its customers in Asia, in particular in the new energies (batteries and photovoltaics) and water management markets, as well as in the traditional markets of coatings and industry.
This investment demonstrates to the success of the Group's R&D in the development of innovative applications that address the major issues of sustainable development as well as tomorrow's challenges.
"With this investment, Changshu will become the largest PVDF plant in Asia. Thanks to its outstanding operating performance in terms of quality, reliability and responsiveness, this plant is a real asset for our customers of this strategic region for the group."
As MRC informed earlier, in February 2015, Arkema developed a new grade of Kynar PVDF resin that provides a whole new set of properties for PVDF. Kynar UHM resin has a high flexural modulus, heat deflection temperature, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, pressure capability and, at the same time, offers excellent creep resistance. Kynar UHM thermoplastic resin was designed with the most demanding applications in mind. This high performance polymer has been specially engineered to be chemically resistant to chlorine, bromine, strong acids, strong oxidants, halogens, aromatic solvents, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. As with traditional Kynar PVDF grades, the Kynar UHM thermoplastic resin is easily melt processed by most standard methods, including injection molding and extrusion. Kynar UHM resin also provides resistance in harsh thermal, chemical and ultraviolet environments.
Arkema with annual revenue of EUR7.6 billion is a leading European supplier of chlorochemicals and PVC. Kynar and Kynar Flex are registered trademarks of Arkema Inc.
MRC