German additives producer Baerlocher (Unterschleißheim; www.baerlocher.de) will add a third reactor to its site in Cincinnati, Ohio / USA. The company called the decision a “major capital investment,” although financial details were not disclosed. The reactor, which will produce calcium, zinc, sodium and other metal soaps, is due to become fully operational in June this year. The company did not specify its nameplate capacity, saying merely that it will increase capacity by 50%.

The new reactor will create at least six new jobs at Baerlocher USA, and will also help support the development of several group innovations, including the “Baeropol” RST, polyolefin resin stabilisation technology as well as solid calcium-based PVC stabilisers.

The decision comes in response to rising demand for metal soaps from the North American polyolefin and PVC industries, Baerlocher said. Key demand drivers include the shale gas-led boom in new PE production capacity in the US as well as the consolidation among PVC additive manufacturers. In addition, the replacement of tin-stabilisers by calcium and zinc metal soaps – part of the European Union’s REACH regulations – is also driving demand for the German company’s portfolio.