Completion of the new plant, which will have a capacity of 35,000 t/y of TBHP/TBA, is scheduled for the second half of 2021.

As well as being an intermediate in Nouryon’s organic peroxide production, TBHP is also used as a polymerization initiator for coating resins and other products. TBA is used as a raw material both for producing organic peroxides and other specialty chemicals.

As part of its plans, Nouryon has entered into a long-term partnership with Nanjing Jinling Huntsman (NJH), which will provide raw materials for the plant. In addition, NJH will build a storage tank and loading station at its facility in Nanjing for transfer to Nouryon’s Ningbo site.

“This is an important step in integrating our regional supply chain for TBHP, which is currently imported from overseas,” said Johan Landfors, Nouryon’s president of technology solutions. “Demand for TBHP and TBA continues to rise in Asia, and our new facility will ensure that we can meet that demand for years to come.”

Last month, Nouryon completed a project that more than doubled its organic peroxides capacity in Itupeva, Brazil. The expansion added capacity for products including methyl ethyl ketone peroxides (MEKP) as well as dibenzyl peroxide (BPO) pastes and waxes, essential ingredients for producing composites that serve fast-growing markets such as wind turbines and civil construction.

Closure of Huber CMC buy

In separate news, Nouryon completed the purchase of J.M. Huber’s carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) business on Jun. 30.

The newly acquired business produces a complete line of CMC grades, supplying customers in more than 80 countries and generating sales of around €135 million. The deal, first announced in January, includes a manufacturing plant and advanced R&D facility located in Äänekoski, Finland. The business’s 248 employees have transferred to Nouryon.