French chemical producer Arkema has started up a 45,000 t/y plant for MMA at its Clear Lake, Texas site. The company said the new production unit represents the last phase of a $110 million capital spending scheme aimed at strengthening its position in the US acrylics market.

In 2012, Arkema brought on stream a 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate (2EHA) plant at Bayport, Texas, and in 2013 expanded its capacity for acrylic acid capacity expansion at Clear Lake. 

Completion of this spending program makes Arkema one of the world's leading manufacturing sites for acrylic acid and derivatives, the French player said, adding that it aims to "fully capitalize on the growth of acrylic acid and derivatives in the fast-growing markets of water treatment, superabsorbents and enhanced oil and gas recovery."

In January of this year, Arkema and Jurong Chemical, the leading Chinese producer of acrylic acid, announced a joint venture to be known as Sunke, in which the French partner will have a majority interest. The jv will own and operate Jurong's acrylic acid production site in Taixing, China.

Arkema said the Jurong deal, due to close in September, will enable it to accelerate the development of its Coating Solutions segment in Asia.