Ineos Styrolution is investing an undisclosed sum to build a 50,000 t/y ABS plant at its Wingles, France, site. The company said it is reacting to increased demand for the polymer from the automotive, household, electronics, healthcare, construction and packaging industries in Europe. Up to now, it has not produced ABS at Wingles.

The Frankfurt, Germany, based subsidiary of the Swiss-headquartered olefins and polyolefins giant said the plant due to go on stream in the first quarter of 2020, will utilize the site’s  existing production infrastructure. One of the existing three PS lines will be converted into a to produce ABS.

Rob Buntinx, president of Ineos Styrolution for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said that having three ABS production sites in Europe –  apart from Wingles at Antwerp, Belgium, and Cologne, Germany – and a higher output production capacity will give the company more flexibility and allow it grow with its customers.

CEO Kevin McQuade said the plans for an upgrade of ABS capacity are part of the company’s focus on both standard grades and higher value specialties as outlined in its Triple Shift Strategy devised in 2013, when it was still a joint venture with BASF.