Arkema Hikes China Fluoropolymer Capacity
Arkema is planning to invest in more fluoropolymer capacity in China in order to meet strong demand into lithium-ion batteries, as well as the water filtration, construction coatings and semiconductor industries.
Production of its Kynar polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) at Changshu will rise by 35% by the end of 2022 – Arkema did not give actual capacity figures.
The French chemical company said the plant at Changshu, its third global integrated PVDF production unit, went online in February 2011 and has been expanded several times during the past decade, most recently in December 2020 with the start-up of a 50% capacity expansion.
Demand for lithium-ion batteries is rising strongly because of the shift to producing electric vehicles. Asia’s water filtration market is also growing rapidly because of the region’s rising population and growing industrialization, leading to increasing demand for sanitation and fresh water.
Bostik to buy Brazil’s Poliplas
In separate news, Arkema’s adhesives arm Bostik is to acquire Brazil’s Poliplas for an undisclosed sum.
A producer of hybrid-technology sealants and adhesives, Poliplas has a plant in in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo and reported sales of about €10 million in 2020.
Arkema said Poliplas’ strong presence in the construction and industrial sectors will complete Bostik’s offering on the Brazilian market through its existing Fortaleza brand.
Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
