Arkema Inc. recently announced the construction of a latex plant in China to produce a range of emulsion polymers for use primarily in the coatings and adhesives markets. Arkema will invest $30 million in the new plant located on its Changshu, China, industrial platform. Start-up is expected in late 2012.
“The Changshu facility will allow us to support our global customers who are operating in, or expanding into, the region," says Richard Jenkins, managing director of Arkema Emulsion Systems Business Unit. "This investment represents our first step toward establishing Arkema Emulsion Systems as a multi-national latex supplier. We will continue to explore expansion opportunities that will allow us to better serve our global customers.”
Expanding manufacturing into China for emulsion products reinforces Arkema’s strategy to grow its position in Asia and increase its acrylics downstream integration. Adding capability for emulsion products will further enhance Arkema’s offering in the region to coatings manufacturers, especially after the completion of the Coatex acrylic polymer plant which is expected to start up mid-2011.
For more information, visit: http://www.arkema-inc.com/index.cfm