Nouryon Starts China Polymers Plant
Nouryon has started production at a new plant in Ningbo, China, for two key intermediates used in the manufacture of polymers and composites. The facility has a capacity of 35,000 t/y for tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), and output will serve rising demand in Asia for polymers used in the packaging, paints and coatings, and construction markets.
"Asia is a key region for Nouryon and the Ningbo site plays a pivotal role in achieving our growth targets. The investment in this new facility underlines our strategy of strengthening our presence in attractive high-growth markets,” said Sobers Sethi, senior vice president of emerging markets and China.
Nouryon’s site in Ningbo comprises six plants that manufacture chelating agents, organic peroxides, ethylene amines, cellulose ethers and surfactants. In Asia, Nouryon produces organic peroxides in Ningbo and Tianjin, China; Asa, Japan; and Mahad, India.
On Aug. 31, the former AkzoNobel business announced plans to build a new plant in Asia to produce 15,000-20,000 t/y of its Bermocoll cellulose ethers for paints and coatings. The plant will be located at a site in Southeast Asia expected to be announced during the fourth quarter of this year. Start-up is expected for mid-2024.
Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
