Written on 13.10.2010 - Industry
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Solvay to expand compounding capacity for speciality polymers in China

Solvay will build a speciality polymers compounding plant at its site in Changshu in the province of Jiangsu, China. Start-up of the plant is expected in the last quarter of 2012. The compounding plant requires an investment of EUR 21 million and will serve the growing Chinese markets for electronics, automotive, consumer and industrial applications.

It will initially start producing compounds of Amodel (PPA), Ixef (PARA) and Kalix (modified PARA). The facility will be adaptable for future expansion for both overall capacity and for other speciality polymers, says Solvay. According to the company, its sales of speciality polymers in Asia were above 25 % of total sales in the first half of this year and Solvay says to see a growing trend.

Ixef and Kalix provide high stiffness in structural elements and have found application e. g. in frames for mobile handheld devices. Ixef is also utilised as replacement for metal in automotive, consumer, and industrial applications and has been used to produce parts of the landing gear mechanism of the solar-powered airplane Solar Impulse. Amodel is used in applications where it must withstand prolonged exposure to high heat, humidity and aggressive chemicals. It has also been used for some internal parts in the throttle box and for the top view LED cups of the Solar Impulse.