Swedish specialty chemicals company Perstorp is upgrading its peracetic plant in Warrington, UK. The upgrade will see a new still and reactors installed, replacing existing equipment that was built in 1998. The project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019.

Peracetic acid is used in the manufacture of caprolactone, from which Perstorp makes its Capa high molecular weight linear polyester. “The Capa business is one of our strategic   areas and we do see a strong market demand,” said Marie Grönborg, executive vice president.   The company said the significant investment would “future-proof production and even further increase security of supply.”

The company doubled caprolactone production at Warrington in 2011 in order to meet fast-growing demand.

In separate news, Perstorp has been granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use Capa in food-contact applications. The authorization relates to Capa grades 6500D and 6800D.

In the bioplastics market, Capa is typically used for bags and films, paper cups and packaging. “The bioplastics market is rapidly growing and Perstorp sees huge potential for biodegradable packaging and food applications,” said Grönborg.

The company secured food-contact approval in Europe a few years ago.