Arkema
The Arkema
group was created in October 2004, following
the reorganization of Totalfs Chemicals
branch. Thanks to innovation, targeted acquisitions and
investments in emerging countries, it has become a recognized
world player in the field of specialty chemicals.
2017/7/11
Arkema announces a major investment project in the biosourced polyamide 11 chain
in Asia
Eager to sustain its customersf strong growth, in particular in automotive,
3D-printing, and in consumer goods markets such as sports and electronics,
Arkema announces an investment plan of some 300 million euros over five years in
the biosourced polyamide 11 chain. This major
investment will enable the Group to increase by 50% its polyamide 11 global
production capacities. The project falls in line with Arkemafs strategy to speed
up its development in advanced materials, one of the key pillars of its future
growth, sustained by a unique portfolio of innovations around the main
sustainable development trends.
Arkema announces a major investment plan in its biosourced polyamide 11 chain
with a view to significantly increasing its production capacities in Asia.
Over the next five years, the Group plans to invest some
300 million euros in building, in Asia, a world-scale plant dedicated to
producing Rilsan® PA11 biosourced polyamide from castor oil. The new plant,
which will produce both the amino 11 monomer and its
polymer, Rilsan® PA11, should come on stream in late 2021. It will enable
Arkema to increase by 50% its Rilsan® PA11 (powder and granule) production
capacity. The investment also includes a 50% increase in
global production capacities for Pebax®, in particular Pebax® RNew of
which amino 11 is a key component. Pebax® RNew is a biosourced polyamide
elastomer with unique properties such as energy return and flexibility,
earmarked in particular for the sports and electronics markets.
With this upcoming plant, Arkema will have a second amino 11 monomer production
site, complementing its historical site in Marseille, France.
Rilsan® PA11 is the only high performance 100% biosourced polyamide to qualify
for the most exacting applications in particular in the electronics, 3D-printing
and automotive markets, where it serves as a metal substitute.
This investment illustrates the Groupfs long-term commitment to fulfil strong
demand from its customers in Asia by offering biosourced solutions to the key
challenges of lightweighting and design of materials. Over the next few years,
annual growth of some 7% is forecast in these markets in Asia.
With this project, the specialty polyamides business, which already achieves 40%
of its sales in Asia, will bolster its industrial, commercial and R&D presence
in the region. The Group thereby confirms its commitment to support its
customers by working closely on their individual needs and providing them with
the right innovative solutions that match the local specifics of their various
markets.
"This project represents a milestone in
the development of our specialty polyamides over the next few years. We send
this message out to our customers with confidence and pride. Today more than
ever, we stand by our customers to offer them ultra high-tech biosourced
product ranges. Our aim is to support their development all around the world
with innovation-driven expert teams at their service"
Thierry Le Hénaff,
Arkema Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
This project is consistent with the Groupfs
ambitious strategy to significantly step up the development of its advanced
materials, which should eventually account for over 25% of sales, while
continuing to further consolidate its presence in Asia.