Japanese catalyst and superabsorbent polymer producer Nippon Shokubai has earmarked €350 million for the expansion of its production facilities for its super absorbers and construction of an acrylic acid plant at Antwerp, Belgium.

The planned expansion adding 100,000 t/y is due to start up in May 2018, nearly tripling the current 60,000 t/y capacity at the site.

Overall, the project will lift Nippon Shokubai's global super absorbers and acrylic acid capability to 710,000 t/y and 880,000 t/y respectively.

The Japanese producer is also planning to build a new 50,000 t/y plant for super absorbers at Himeji, Japan, which is due to be completed in June 2016.

Nippon Shokubai estimates steady demand for the absorbent polymers used in disposable diapers, in particular in Central and Eastern Europe.