A local British newspaper has reported that Lotte Chemical UK (Wilton / UK; www.kpchem.co.kr) is planning to build a new PET plant. The 200,000 t/y facility is due to come on stream in Wilton by Q3 2013. Through its KP Chemical (Ulsan / South Korea; www.kpchem.co.kr) subsidiary, Lotte Group (Seoul / South Korea; www.lotte.co.kr) had acquired the 150,000 t/y plant – formerly owned by Eastman – from then-owner Artenius UK, itself a subsidiary of Spain’s La Seda (see Plasteurope.com of 28.01.2010).

The 2010 transaction also included a facility for PTA feedstock, the surplus of which is to go towards the new line. The new plant, which will likely create 55 new jobs, is to receive a regional financial injection of GBP 6.7m.