Solvay announces major expansion in sulfone specialty polymers
Solvay announced today that U.S.-based Solvay Advanced polymers, L.L.C. will build a new world-scale sulfone polymers production unit. The cost for the project is estimated to be over USD 50 million and will nearly triple the company's existing polyethersulfone (PES) production capacity. The new unit, whose location has not been disclosed, is expected to be commissioned in 2006.
As with the company's existing sulfone polymers facilities, the unit will be able to produce the full suite of RADEL® products, which include RADEL® A polyethersulfone and RADEL® R polyphenylsulfone. The exceptional properties of these products - including chemical and heat resistance, toughness, transparency and dimensional stability - allow their use in a variety of demanding applications in the aerospace, automotive, electronic, electrical and consumer goods sectors.
"The new unit will position us to support growing global markets such as automotive lighting, telecommunications, and food service. Plus, it will provide us greater opportunity to explore and develop new markets and applications in the future on a competitive basis," said Doug Brademeyer, Solvay Advanced Polymers' Global Business Director for sulfone polymers.
Solvay Advanced Polymers has also recently expanded its Sulfone Polymer product line with the introduction of SUPRADEL(TM) HTS, which was unveiled at K2004 International Plastics Trade Fair in Düsseldorf, and offers the highest heat resistance of any transparent amorphous thermoplastic polymer commercially available today.
"With the successful acquisition and integration of Ausimont's and BPAmoco specialty activities, Solvay has built a world leadership position in high performance polymers," commented Vincenzo Morici, General Manager Specialty Polymers Strategic Business Unit. "Solvay is strongly committed to further develop this high value-added business and to expand its product range of high performance polymers," Morici added.
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