In response to what it said is strong customer demand, US specialty chemicals producer Solenis is investing about $5 million to double production capacity for its polyacrylamide powders at Perm, Russia.

The new capacity is due on stream next month.

The company’s products are used in a wide variety of water-based industries including the pulp, paper, oil and gas, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power and municipal markets.

Solenis said it will also create two new production lines to handle the increased sales of its sizing and defoamer products in the pulp and paper industry.

According to the company, the new capacity will further reinforce its leading position in the market and will enable it to continue satisfying the growing needs of its customers in Russia with “locally produced products backed with superior technical expertise.”

CEO John Panichella said the investment also represents a milestone in Solenis’ strategic alignment for growth in emerging markets, creating new opportunities for continued development in Russia.”