(ICIS) -- French specialty chemicals firm Arkema said on Wednesday it plans to start up its two new plants in Changsu, China, and is eyeing new projects to expand its presence in Asia. "Two new plants will be brought on stream in China, the first in March for fluoropolymers and the second in mid-year for specialty acrylic polymers," Arkema said in a statement. The capacity of the plants were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, the company said that among its priorities this year would be building an emulsions plant and expanding its capacity in polyamides and fluoropolymers in Asia.
Arkema said it would also prepare longer-term projects in the thiochemicals and acrylic monomers sectors in Asia.
Arkema reported a record net profit of ┬347m ($475m) last year, with sales jumping 32.9% to ┬5.91bn. In the fourth quarter of 2010, it swung to a net profit of ┬58m on the back of a 32.4% year-on-year surge in sales to ┬1.43bn.