Page 28 - Plastics Nuews October 2017

CoMPANy NEWS

Solvay to build sulfone polymer production unit in India

olvay SA is expanding its global production capacity in fibre strength, toughness, rigidity and hydrolytic
Ssulfone polymers through building a new production stability, according to Solvay. Solvay says its sulfone
plant in India and expanding capacity in the United States. polymers Radel PPSU (polyphenylsulfone), Veradel PESU
(polyethersulfone) and Udel PSU (polysulfone) are applied
The investments follow Belgian chemicals producer’s
announcement last year that it would increase its sulfone in a range of highly competitive industries, such as
polymer capacity by more than 35% in the next five years. aerospace, automotive, water and electronics as well as
consumer and construction markets.

Indorama Ventures acquiring

DuPont Teijin Films

ndorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. has a deal to
Ibuy DuPont Teijin Films, a major global supplier
of polyester films. DTF is a joint venture between
DowDuPont Co. and Teijin Ltd. The deal includes
businesses in United States, Europe and China.
In addition to manufacturing and R&D, the deal
includes the Mylar and Melinex brand names. Bangkok,
Thailand-based Indorama is publicly traded and is
already a major supplier of PET resin. “This acquisition
The move, said Solvay, is to meet the “significant” demand
marks a new chapter for IVL. It is the next step in
growth from mainly the medical and water treatment
creating a leading position for customer solutions
industries for this high-performance thermoplastic in films,” said Aloke Lohia, group CEO of Indorama
material. Ventures, in an Oct. 10 news release.

The investment size was not disclosed. According to Solvay, Terms of the deal were not disclosed. It is expected to
the new India plant will be dedicated to polyethersulfone complete by late 2017 or early 2018, upon obtaining
(PESU) in Panoli, India. Construction of the plant, said appropriate regulatory approvals in each country,.
the Brussels-based chemical group, is underway and With a total film/polymer capacity of 277,000 metric
production should reach full capacity mid-2019. tons per year, DTF is one of the world’s largest
producers of biaxially oriented PET and polyethylene
The company is also investing in capacity expansion and naphthalate films.
process optimisation at its US polymer and monomer units In separate statements, the companies confirmed the
in Marietta, Ohio, and Augusta, Ga."Solvay's expansion sale of four businesses – DuPont Teijin Films U.S. Ltd.
firms up our leading position in sulfone polymers which Partnership, DuPont Teijin Films Luxemburg SA, DuPont
benefit from booming demand in fast-growing industries Teijin Films U.K. Ltd., DuPont Teijin Films China Ltd.
such as water purification and healthcare," said Augusto - to Indorama Netherlands BV.The move is part of
Di Donfrancesco, president of Solvay's specialty polymers Teijin’s restructuring of its polyester film business, and
global business unit.The thermoplastic polymers, which marks a major change in the global market for BOPET
films. Teijin said the four joint ventures had become
are soluble in conventional processing solvents, are used
make flat sheet and tubular membranes as well as hollow “less important as resources allocation targets.”
fiber. DTF specializes in film for specialty, industrial,
packaging, automotive, advanced magnetic media,
The high-temperature thermoplastics impart high photo systems, electrical and electronics applications.

Plastics News | Octob er 2017 28