Plant Investments: Ineos to produce ABS in France; Clariant opens two additives plants in China

Germany-headquartered styrenics supplier Ineos Styrolution says it is adding on a significant investment into its Wingles, France, site to cater to market growth for ABS in Europe. The site focused on polystyrene production so far. It will now add production of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) to its portfolio.

The changes reflect increased demand for ABS solutions from INEOS Styrolution’s focus industries (Automotive, Household, Electronics, Healthcare, Construction and Packaging) in Europe.

The new production line for ABS will make use of the existing production infrastructure in Wingles. One of the existing three polystyrene production lines will be converted into a production line for ABS with a planned capacity of about 50,000 tonnes/year. The ABS production site in Wingles is planned to be operational in Q1’2020.

Rob Buntinx, President EMEA, comments: “Three ABS production sites in Europe – Wingles, Antwerp and Cologne – with an increased ABS production capacity give us increased flexibility and allow us to grow with our customers. Our customers can focus on their businesses while relying on our production capacities being able to meet their growing demand across our broad ABS portfolio.”

Meanwhile, in other news Swiss chemicals firm Clariant has inaugurated its new additives production facilities in China. It opened two new, fully-owned additives facilities at its site in Zhenjiang. This completes a multi-million CHF investment originally announced last year and puts Clariant’s Additives business in China on track to further expand its offering of solutions for the plastics, coatings & ink industries.

The newly opened facilities are dedicated to the production of Ceridust micronised waxes and AddWorks synergistic additive solutions, both of which are used in various applications across the plastics, coatings and ink industries. Clariant says it will be able to provide more tailored solutions at shortened lead times, which is a key in continuing to expand Clariant’s China sales, as they fulfill the demand for environmentally compatible and safe products as outlined in China's 13th Five Year Plan and the industrial policy 'Made in China 2025', while allowing Clariant to differentiate itself in the market environment.

“This completed investment in the Zhenjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone marks another milestone in our commitment to expand capability and capacity in China, one of the most important strategic markets for Clariant,” said Christian Kohlpaintner, member of Clariant's Executive Committee, at the opening ceremony.

Stephan Lynen, Head of Clariant’s Business Unit Additives, told the audience: “We already have a strong focus on China, with our additives for plastics, coatings, and consumer industries”.

“With the new investment and our enhanced innovation capabilities, our focus on this market is being strengthened further. These two fully-owned production facilities complement the company’s long-standing regional network of commercial and technical support not only for China, but for the whole of Asia,” he added.

(PRA)

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