Eastman/China Joint Venture Begins Production of Eastotac Resins
Nanjing Yangzi Eastman Chemical Ltd.(NYEC), a joint venture between Eastman Chemical Ltd. and Yangzi Petrochemical Industrial Corporation(YPIC), has begun production of Eastotac hydrocarbon tackifying resins for the adhesives market. Eastman Chemical Ltd. is a subsidiary of United States-based Eastman Chemical Company, and YPIC is an affiliate of Yangzi Petrochemical Corporation(YPC).
“The new plant is strategically located in the Dachang district of Nanjing, Jiangsu province to supply both the growing Chinese economy and the global marketplace,” said Damon Warmack, general manager, Nanjing Yangzi Eastman. “We expect to export product to Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.”
Commercial production of Eastotac hydrocarbon resins at the new facility began on Dec. 20, and the product met all quality and production rate expectations.
“The mutual vision of the parties is for NYEC to be a world class, international business in terms of product quality, customer satisfaction, plant operations, and health, safety and environment,” according to Ji Wei Qing, deputy general manager, Nanjing Yangzi Eastman. “We share a common commitment to that objective.”
The Nanjing plant, with a capacity of 40 million pounds, will produce six formulations of hydrogenated Eastotac resins. The hydrogenation process results in a water-white product that is particularly valued in nonwovens applications.
In addition to its marketing expertise, Eastman contributed proprietary technology and years of experience in producing Eastotac resins to the joint venture. YPIC is providing the land for the plant site as well as the C5 distillate feedstock, a byproduct from the manufacture of ethylene.
The Nanjing plant is positioned to grow as the Asian economy grows and matures, creating a demand for additional high-quality hydrocarbon tackifying resins,” said Bruce Moore, vice president and general manager of Eastman’s coatings, adhesives and specialty polymers business.
The Nanjing plant is the first joint venture in China as well as the first plant outside the United States to produce Eastotac resin. Previously, all Eastotac resin was produced at Eastman’s manufacturing site in Longview, Texas.
YPIC is an affiliate of Yangzi Petrochemical Corporation (YPC), one of the largest petrochemical companies in China. YPC produces chemical and fibre intermediates and plastic based on an ethylene manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of 400,000 tonnes. YPC also has an aromatic hydrocarbon manufacturing facility with a capacity of 850,000 tonnes per year.
End-uses for Eastotac resins are tackifying resins for pressure-sensitive adhesives, hot-melt adhesives, caulks, and sealants. Manufacturers use Eastotac hydrocarbon resins to produce hot melt adhesives for packaging applications in addition to glue sticks, tapes, labels and other adhesive applications.
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