Arkema expands its presence in emulsions in China

29-09-2010: Arkema has announced the construction of a latex plant in China to produce a range of emulsion polymers for use primarily in the coatings and adhesives markets. Arkema will invest $30 million in the new plant located on its Changshu platform. Start-up is expected in late 2012.

“Building an Arkema Emulsion Systems facility in China is an important milestone for our business,” said Richard Jenkins, Managing Director of Arkema Emulsion Systems Business Unit. “The Changshu facility will allow us to support our global customers who are operating in, or expanding into, the region. This investment represents our first step toward establishing Arkema Emulsion Systems as a multi-national latex supplier. We will continue to explore expansion opportunities that will allow us to better serve our global customers.”

Expanding manufacturing into China for emulsion products enhances Arkema’s position as an integrated global raw materials source for its customers in many industries, and reinforces Arkema’s strategy to grow its position in Asia and increase its acrylics downstream integration. Adding capability for emulsion products will further enhance Arkema’s offering in the region to coatings manufacturers, especially after the completion of the Coatex acrylic polymer plant which is expected to start up mid 2011 as announced in July 2009.