In response to what it said is strong worldwide demand for PA powder in ultra-high performance industrial applications, especially from the coatings, composite and 3D printing markets, French chemical producer Arkema (Colombes; www.arkema.com) plans to to expand global capacity at its Mont / France site in the Pyrenees by more than 50% by the second half of 2019. The expansion, costing around EUR 20m, will support steady growth in these industrial applications and underscore its commitment to its global customer base, the company said.

For the speciality powders sold under the “Orgasol” trademark (a range of polymers and PA 6 and PA 12 copolymers), and often specified as ultra-high performing formulation additives, Arkema claims exceptionally tightly controlled particle size distribution and outstanding toughness. The new capacity upgrade follows “substantial” investment in Asia for the French player’s “Rilsan” PA 11 and PA 12 product lines, said Erwoan Pezron, global president of Arkema’s Technical Polymers business – for the latest coverage see Plasteurope.com of 14.07.2017.