Solvay Polymers Moves On Sulfone Polymers

22 April 2002 00:00  [Source: ICB Americas]

Solvay Advanced Polymers LLC has completed its previously announced expansions of its sulfone polymers plant in Marietta, Ohio, and its sulfone monomer plant in Augusta, Ga. The start-up of both projects was completed during the fourth quarter of 2001, and their capacity validation was completed during the first quarter of 2002.

George Corbin, the company's global business manager for the sulfone polymers business, says the Marietta expansion increases that plant's capacity for Radel R poly-phenylsulfone and Radel A polyethersulfone resins by 40 percent. The Augusta expansion raises that site's capacity for 4,4'-dichlorodiphenylsulfone monomer by 15 percent.

Solvay Advanced Polymers will also raise its US capacities for Udel polysulfone resins by 15 percent and sulfone monomer by 10 percent. The company is not yet revealing the cost or sites of those projects, although Mr. Corbin says they will be completed by the fourth quarter.

The plants in Marietta and Augusta were formerly part of BP Amoco's engineering polymers business that was transferred to Solvay SA on November 1, 2001. Solvay's acquisition of BP Amoco's polymers line, including its sulfone polymers and Amodel polyphthalamide businesses, increased Sol-vay's sales of high-margin specialty polymers by 50 percent. Solvay Ad-vanced Polymers was formed when Solvay SA combined its PA-MX6 and PPS product lines with a portfolio of materials that had comprised BP Amoco's engineering resins business.

"Despite today's difficult economic environment, these expansions testify to the significant commitment Solvay Advanced Polymers is making to support our customers' growth and successes, and it provides us greater opportunities to explore and develop new markets and product applications," Mr. Corbin says.

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