GREAT LAKES CHEMICAL
US company expands output of thermoplastic antioxidants by 30% / UV stabilisors grow, too
The polymer additives division of Great Lakes Chemical Corporation (Europe: Juchstr. 45, CH-8500 Frauenfeld) is lifting output of its range of antioxidants for thermoplastic applications. Expansions are underway at Person, France; Newport, Tennessee; and Pyongtaek, South Korea. The new plant under construction by Gulf Stabilizer, a 50:50 joint venture in Saudi Arabia with Hamed A. Alzamil and Bros. Co., is due onstream by the end of 2001.
When all projects are complete, the US group will have increased capacity for antioxidants in polyolefins, styrenics and engineering plastics by more than 30%. Great Lakes claims to offer the world´s widest range of polymer additives, with USD 613m in annual sales including flame retardants, polymer stabilisors and antimony-based derivatives.
As part of a USD 20m expansion scheme, a tri-acetone (TAA) plant at Ravenna, Italy, due onstream in Q3 2001, will achieve backward integration into hindered amine light stabilisors (Hals). The full range will be available by the end of 2002. The move will make the group independent of other suppliers for its UV stabiliser range. At Waldkraiburg, Germany, capacity for finished Hals products is being doubled. Great Lakes estimates the global market for UV stabilisers at USD 600m.
Some 70% of the polymer additives division´s portfolio goes into polyolefins. Great Lakes sees PP applications growing at around 7% annually, with Asian growth at around 12%. PE is seen as growing by 4% and 7% in Asia. Nafta now accounts for some 41% of the group´s polymer additives sales, Europe for 37% and Asia for most of the remainder.
• Plasteurope.com Service:Collection of news releases from Great Lakes press conference in Zurich (English): PIE-No. 44526.
When all projects are complete, the US group will have increased capacity for antioxidants in polyolefins, styrenics and engineering plastics by more than 30%. Great Lakes claims to offer the world´s widest range of polymer additives, with USD 613m in annual sales including flame retardants, polymer stabilisors and antimony-based derivatives.
As part of a USD 20m expansion scheme, a tri-acetone (TAA) plant at Ravenna, Italy, due onstream in Q3 2001, will achieve backward integration into hindered amine light stabilisors (Hals). The full range will be available by the end of 2002. The move will make the group independent of other suppliers for its UV stabiliser range. At Waldkraiburg, Germany, capacity for finished Hals products is being doubled. Great Lakes estimates the global market for UV stabilisers at USD 600m.
Some 70% of the polymer additives division´s portfolio goes into polyolefins. Great Lakes sees PP applications growing at around 7% annually, with Asian growth at around 12%. PE is seen as growing by 4% and 7% in Asia. Nafta now accounts for some 41% of the group´s polymer additives sales, Europe for 37% and Asia for most of the remainder.
• Plasteurope.com Service:Collection of news releases from Great Lakes press conference in Zurich (English): PIE-No. 44526.
30.04.2000 Plasteurope.com [17428]
Published on 30.04.2000