Eastman to raise plasticiser capacity at sites in US, Estonia

08 September 2011 15:22  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--Eastman Chemical plans to raise non-phthalates plasticiser capacities at sites in the US and Estonia by a total of 20,000 tonnes/year to meet growing demand, the US chemicals major said on Thursday.

Eastman said it will expand capacities for its Benzoflex-brand plasticisers and Admex-brand polymeric plasticisers at Chestertown, Maryland, and Kingsport, Tennessee, by a total of about 9,000 tonnes/year by the end of the second quarter of 2012.

In Estonia, Eastman will increase Benzoflex plasticiser capacity by an additional 11,000 tonnes/year by the end of the second quarter of 2012 – coming on top of an 11,000 tonne/year expansion completed in November 2010, the company said.

Eastman did not disclose the sites’ existing plasticiser capacities.

“The additional capacity will allow our performance chemicals and intermediates segment to satisfy increasing customer demand for non-phthalate plasticisers,” said Heidi Barnes, Eastman’s business director for oxo and plasticisers.

Benzoflex is used in coatings, adhesives, sealants and caulks, and is also used to provide flexibility to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in applications such as vinyl flooring.

Admex plasticisers are used to provide flexibility in vinyl compounds in applications such as PVC-based adhesive tapes, conveyor belts, gaskets and hoses.

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By: Stefan Baumgarten
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