Plant Set-ups: Ineos Styrolution to set up ASA plant in Texas; Covestro breaks ground on PC film line in Thailand

Styrenics maker Ineos Styrolution has made its final investment decision to construct a new 100 kt capacity ASA plant at its site in Bayport, Texas.

The new ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate polymer) facility will strengthen the Ineos Styrolution position as the only global producer with ASA production capacity in all regions. Upon the start-up, scheduled for 2021, the new facility will unleash additional capacity of ABS polymers at the existing Altamira plant in Mexico.

A contract for engineering, procurement, and construction has been awarded to WorleyParsons, a leading global provider for the chemical industry.

“I am looking forward to offering our customers additional ASA capacity allowing for more flexible production of specialty grades per their growing demand in the Americas. In addition, we will be able to produce more ABS in our existing plant in Mexico also serving the growing ABS market,” explained Alexander Glueck, President Americas.

In other news, Germany’s Covestro has started to build up a new manufacturing line for polycarbonate (PC) films at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Thailand. With this new capacity, the company will serve the fast growing demand in Asia Pacific and strengthen its own position as a market leader. The project is the first step of a global capacity increase for Covestro´s film production. The total investment of more than EUR100 million also includes an expansion of the associated infrastructure and logistics.

“Our existing films plant in Map Ta Phut has been a high-performing and valued facility,” said Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Global Head of Covestro´s Specialty Films Business, at the ground-breaking ceremony. “Our main objective with this expansion is to intensify our collaboration with customers in Asia Pacific, in particular, to improve efficiency and punctual delivery. With market-focused innovations and a stronger customer orientation we want to drive growth for Covestro.”

Thorsten Dreier added, “This is an excellent strategic fit, enabling fastest time-to-market, but also broadening our market access in Asia. Not least, we have highly-skilled employees at our existing plant, which will also ensure the success of the new project,” added Thorsten Dreier.

The existing films facility started operations in January 2007 and produces Makrofol PC and Bayfol PC blend films, which are used in industry sectors such as security and ID cards, automotive, medical, as well as electrical and electronics. It produces a selection of grades, including new optical grades, and the new facility is designed to extend the range of products in response to market demand.

(PRA)

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