Ineos Styrolution has announced plans to increase compounding capacity for styrenic polymers by 34,000 t/y at its Moxi plant at Vadodara in India’s Gujarat state. The company is investing $20 million in the project due to be completed at the end of the 2019, which will raise compounding capability at the site to 100,000 t/y.

The capacity hike will go hand in hand with an infrastructure upgrade. To finance the expansion, which will add two new extruders, Ineos group shareholders will be asked to approve an extension of borrowing limits.

Separately, the former 50:50 joint venture with BASF said it is evaluating plans to double output of ABS in India over the next several years from 100,000 t/y currently to 200,000 t/y. The company also produces 100,000 t/y of SAN on the sub-continent. All of the product is sold locally.

Ineos points to growing demand for styrenic polymers across India’s key industries. The company regards itself as market leader for ABS and SAN in India, and Steve Harrington, president of the global styrene monomer and Asia-Pacific business, said the additional capacity will give it the necessary resources to meet the demands of this fast-growing market.