Shell Hiking Polyketones With New Geismar Facility

16 March 1998 00:00  [Source: ICB Americas]

Shell Chemical Company is expanding its aliphatic polyketone engineering thermoplastic polymer, Carilon. The company has broken ground for a 55-million-pound plant at its Geismar, La., site which can be expanded to 110 million pounds.

Shell first introduced the polymer in Europe and has been producing it in Carrington, UK, since October 1996. Ellen Therrien, vice-president of Carilon Polymers' global business team, says the current output in the UK stands at 20 million pounds.

"Having two full-scale manufacturing facilities, one in the US and the other in Europe, will give us the flexibility to serve our global customers," Ms. Therrien says.

She adds that in the short time the product has been available, its growth has been strong. She sees particular promise in automotive and electrical connector applications and sees the product as a potential replacement for nylon and acetals.

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