Arkema Starts Up Extra China Kynar Capacity
Arkema plans to start up its 50% expansion of Kynar fluoropolymer capacity at Changshu, China, next month. First commercial volumes will be supplied starting January 2021, the French specialty chemicals group said.
The investment in the extra polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) output was driven by strongly growing demand for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and consumer electronic devices, as well as energy storage. Arkema said the global lithium-ion market continues to expand at an accelerating pace and the project further consolidates its world-leading position in PVDF.
“Our unique global Kynar fluoropolymer production footprint enables us to support the growth of our customers with speed and versatility,” said Erwoan Pezron, senior vice president, high performance polymers.
Arkema last invested in additional Kynar capacity in April 2018, when it started up a 20% expansion at its plant in Calvert City, Kentucky, USA.
Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
