BP ups polymers capacity prior to Solvay transfer

17 September 2001 00:00  [Source: ICB]

BP has announced plans to expand its engineering polymers capacity in the US. Construction is under way on the projects in Marietta, Ohio, and Augusta, Georgia, with the additional capacity scheduled to go online in the fourth quarter of 2001.

Production of Radel R polyphenylsulphone and Radel A polyethersulphone at Marietta will rise by 40%, while in Augusta, sulphone monomer capacity will increase by 15%.

No capacity figures were disclosed by the company.

George Corbin, global business manager, sulphone polymers, says the expansions will support the growth of its customers and also provide greater opportunity to explore and develop new markets and applications.

The Marietta and Augusta plants are part of the business earmarked to be transferred soon to Solvay. The two companies signed the binding agreements last month, and they hope to complete the deal shortly, subject to regulatory approvals.

Solvay's acquisition of the engineering polymers business will increase its sales in the fast-growing high-margin speciality polymers sector by 50%, with turnover anticipated to reach about E900m ($820).

Sulphone polymers are high-performance, amorphous engineering thermoplastics used in various applications that require high end-use temperatures, excellent chemical resistance, superior dimensional and hydrolytic stability, transparency and toughness.

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