Nouryon Expands Swedish Surfactants

Nouryon has announced another project in Sweden, the latest in a series of investments to meet growing customer demand.

The company will spend €12 million to install a new reactor at Stenungsund, doubling its surfactants capacity to meet rising demand for more sustainable products in several different markets. The work is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2021.

“Our customers are looking for more innovative and environmentally conscious solutions that offer better biodegradability, lower toxicity and meet the latest regulations,” said AB Ghosh, managing director surface chemistry at Nouryon. “The design of this new reactor allows for a wide range of chemistries and technologies, including those required for creating more sustainable ingredients.”

The extra capacity will allow Nouryon to expand production of several technologies for the oil & gas market, including corrosion inhibitor Armohib CI-5150 and a new range of biodegradable demulsifiers that it said will give oil & gas producers a more sustainable option to separate crude oil from natural gas and water.

In addition, Nouryon will be able to raise output of products such as biodegradable surfactant Berol R648NG used as a degreaser in the cleaning market. It will also produce surfactants used in the lubricants, fuels and asphalt markets.

In June, the company completed a €20 million project at Sundsvall that “significantly” expanded capacity for its Expancel expandable microspheres, while in March it finished a €4 million expansion of Levasil colloidal silica at Bohus.