Solvay has announced plans to expand production capacity for sulfone polymers in India and the US to meet growing demand, primarily from the healthcare and water-treatment industries.

A new plant producing polyethersulfone is being built in Panoli, India, with production anticipated to reach full capacity in mid-2019. Capacity increases are also underway at Solvay’s sites in Marietta, Ohio, and August, Georgia, in the US through a program of investment and process optimization. Capacity figures were not disclosed.

The Belgian group said a year ago that it would lift sulfone polymers capacity by more than 35% during the next five years. Solvay’s sulfones portfolio includes Radel polyphenylsulfone, Veradel polyethersulfone and Udel polysulfone, which are used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, water and electronics as well as consumer and construction markets.