DuPont is planning to invest more than $100 million in expanding output of ethylene copolymers output at its Texas plants over the next three to four years.

Without providing capacity figures, either current or for the increase, the US chemical giant said the build-up, about a third of which is to be completed by the end of next year, was in response to increasing demand for the products used mainly in food packaging and automotive, but also in industrial applications.

DuPont said the investment will support growth for its specialty resins, including Surlyn ionomer resin, Nucrel ethylene acid copolymer resin, Elvaloy ethylene copolymer resins, Vamac ethylene acrylic elastomers and special grades of Elvax EVA copolymers.