U.S. polyamide producer Invista has broken ground for a new 215,000 t/y hexamethylene diamine (HMD) plant and a 150,000 t/y PA 6.6 polymerization plant in China's Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP).

Both units are scheduled to start up in 2015.

The privately owned Kansas City, Missouri-based company that bought the DuPont business and secured the nylon brand name in 2004 said the new facilities mark a key milestone in its plans for integrated PA 6.6 production in China and underscore its commitment to the region.

Along with the HMD and polymer plants, Invista also plans to build a 300,000-t/y adiponitrile (ADN) plant at SCIP, which it claims will be among the most energy-efficient nylon intermediates sites in the world. Overall investment will exceed $1 billion - the company's largest capital investments to date.

"China is one of the most important regions for our growth strategy," said Invista CEO Jeff Gentry. "We have seen significant growth in the region in recent years, and we plan to continue to bring our latest innovative technologies here."

Warren Primeaux, president of Invista Intermediates, said the company believes that China is driving global nylon demand growth, and the use of nylon 6.6 intermediates and polymer in the region will increase. "The new facilities will enable Invista to provide customers with better service, shorter lead time and a local resource for production," he said.