Arkema to Expand PEKK Output in France and the US

To meet growing demand from the carbon fiber composites industry and the 3D printing sector, Arkema plans to double production capacities in France for its new Kepstan PEKK (polyether-ketone-ketone) ultra-high performance polymer by the first half of 2016.

The French chemical producer also has announced plans to build a world-scale PEKK plant at its Mobile, Alabama, site on the US Gulf Coast. This unit is scheduled to come on stream in the second half of 2018.

PEKK, which Arkema said stands out from the PAEK (polyaryl-ether-ketone) family by its extensive range of processing technologies and excellent thermo-mechanical behavior, complements the company's portfolio of thermoplastic resins and broadens its range of products for the aerospace, energy and electronics sectors.

Arkema sees itself as already well positioned in these markets, with its Rilsa PA11 and Kynar PVDF specialty polymers as well as its Elium acrylic resins.