Expansions: Röhm brings LiMA MMA technology to industrial scale in Texas; Toray to build PPS facility in India, tapping into auto market

MMA producer Röhm is marking a major milestone at its Bay City, Texas, methyl methacrylate (MMA) plant, where the company’s proprietary LiMA technology has been operating at full industrial scale for the first time worldwide. Following start‑up, the plant underwent a structured ramp‑up phase, successfully reaching and sustaining full‑scale operation in recent months.

LiMA stands for Leading in ‘Leading in MethAcrylates.’ MMA is a critical building block for products used in automotive, manufacturing, construction, electronics, and medical applications. The facility is also the first C2‑based MMA production plant in North America, strengthening regional supply chains and domestic manufacturing capacity.

The technology was developed by Röhm in Germany over several years and successfully transferred to industrial scale in the US with the support of investor Advent International. Through its partnership with Röhm, Advent has invested approximately US$1.6 billion to support innovation and long‑term growth at the company.

At the event, Röhm CEO Hans Bohnen noted the Bay City plant underscores the company’s broader strategy to lead through technology and long‑term investment. “As the only global producer of both methyl methacrylate and polymethyl methacrylate with production sites in the major regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, we are uniquely positioned to serve our customers worldwide - reliably, locally, and with leading technology,” said Bohnen.

The Bay City plant strengthens supply security for North American customers by relying on readily available raw materials, including ethylene and natural gas, and by anchoring production closer to end markets.

“This reflects our long‑term commitment to customers across the region, and Bay City’s strategic location allows us to efficiently serve both North American and global markets,” said Jack Chenault, President of Röhm Americas.

 “LiMA technology does not only mark a technological quantum leap – it is a true game changer for the methacrylate industry,” said Ronald Ayles of Advent International. “Bay City shows that this process can perform at industrial scale while delivering efficiency and environmentally friendly benefits.”

The Bay City facility has an annual production capacity of 250,000 tonNEs of MMA and is designed to maximise yield while minimising the use of raw materials. Compared with conventional MMA production processes, LiMA technology reduces energy and water consumption and lowers carbon dioxide emissions by up to 42%, says the firm.

In other news, Japan's Toray Industries is building a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) compounds processing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, tapping into rising automotive and electronics demand.

The plant will have a production capacity of about 3,000 tonnes/year, supplying high-performance plastics primarily for the Indian automotive market.

The materials are used for automotive electrical parts, piping, and electronic components in traditional and electrified vehicles (xEVs)

The company says local manufacturing drastically reduces lead times, optimises inventory, and secures a stable supply chain to cater to major automakers expanding their production footprints in India.

Along with fulfilling domestic demand, the facility positions Toray to export to Southeast Asia and the broader South Asian market.

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