Clariant is to increase production of high-purified ethylene oxide (HPEO) at Gendorf, Germany, allowing the Swiss-based company to continue expanding its portfolio of EO-based specialties used in a variety of industries.

Christian Kohlpaintner, member of Clariant’s executive committee, said the expansion will enable higher production yields, greater process reliability and enhanced product quality. The additional capacity is expected to be available from 2020. The company did not reveal capacity figures.

In separate news, Clariant has signed an agreement with Neste on renewable hydrocarbon feedstocks. Under the partnership, C2/C3 monomers derived from Neste’s renewable hydrocarbons will be used by Clariant as drop-in replacements in its polyolefin products, such as its Licocene performance polymers.

“Combining Clariant’s in-depth knowhow in the varying applications of adhesives, plastics and coatings, and Neste’s extensive knowledge and experience in working with bio-based materials to produce a variety of drop-in renewable solutions, enables both companies to develop their sustainable material offering to provide maximum added value not only to sustainable brands in varying industries, but also to their customers,” commented Peter Vanacker, Neste’s president and CEO.

Neste’s bio-based hydrocarbons are produced from renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil and renewable vegetable oils.