“Kemira is the leading producer and supplier of ASA in the Asia-Pacific region. We are committed to the industry and want to ensure security of supply and high-quality products in the long term, supporting our customers’ expansion plans. The capacity ramp-up will take place during 2022-2023,” said Alexander Wahl, director of the global sizing product line.

The company added that the decision to expand comes at a time when customers are concerned about current tight supply coupled with rapidly growing demand for the chemical, which is used to improve water-resistance in paper and packaging board.

In May, Kemira announced the start-up of a new dry polymer production plant in Ulsan, South Korea, which is run as a joint venture with Yongsan Chemicals. The facility produces dry polyacrylamide products, mostly for retention and drainage applications that Kemira said are critical in modern, fast paper and board production. 

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist