Expansions: Clariant begins construction of 2nd additives line in China; PCC to build chlor-alkali facility at Chemours site in US

Swiss chemicals firm Clariant says it is expanding its Cangzhou production site for the manufacture of the multifunctional additive Nylostab S-EED. The new, second production line in the Hebei Province of China, will jointly be owned and operated by Clariant and its local partner Beijing Tiangang Auxiliary Co Ltd.

For three years, since the launch of the first joint-venture site in 2021, the production site has achieved full capacity.

The new production line will specialise in the manufacturing of Clariant’s multifunctional Nylostab S-EED additive that is compatible with nylons by molecular recognition. Its process stability at high temperatures results in less filament breakage during spinning processes and enhances productivity by reducing cycle time for injection moulding processes.

“We are excited to take our partnership with Beijing Tiangang to the next level by breaking ground on a second production line in Cangzhou today. The continued investment from Clariant demonstrates our commitment to the Chinese market and reaffirms our strong belief in the prospects of local industries such as textiles and fibres, automotive and packaging,” said Zhigang Miao, Clariant’s Global Head of Polymer Solutions, Additives Polymer Solutions.

“The success of our first joint-venture production site in Cangzhou has undoubtedly paved the way for our new facility today. We’re confident that our new multifunctional additive Nylostab S-EED, produced at the new site, will have a good number of application areas across the core nylon value chain, which is seeing a surge in capacity expansion and demand particularly from the textile and engineering plastics industry here in China,” says Sandra Schneider, Clariant’s Head of Operations & Supply Chain Additives.

The upstream Chinese nylon industry is expanding rapidly, driving an increase in demand for additives such as Nylostab S-EED. This multifunctional additive is capable of upgrading the quality of nylon products through enhanced colour stability, heat resistance and composite compatibility during the manufacturing process, resulting in overall higher productivity, says Clariant.

In other news, US firm Chemours Company announced that the PCC Group plans to build and operate a chlor-alkali facility on the grounds of Chemours’ titanium dioxide (TiO2) plant in DeLisle, Mississippi (US) and that PCC and Chemours have entered into a chlorine supply agreement which is subject to certain customary conditions precedent.

The new facility will utilise technology to maximise energy efficiency and provide up to an annual nameplate capacity of 340,000 tonnes once the plant is operational. The co-product, caustic soda, will be sold by PCC to strategic partners and on the open market. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026 with the plant being operational in 2028.

Denise Dignam, President/CEO of Chemours, said, “This new partnership, requiring no up-front financial commitment from Chemours, will enable us to lower our manufacturing costs and better serve our customers as their trusted TiO2 partner of choice. It also reinforces our commitment to the Mississippi Gulf Coast community we have called home for nearly 45 years.”

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