Arkema strengthens its position in Asia by doubling the production capacity of its Shanghai Hydrogen Peroxide plant.As the world`s third leading hydrogen peroxide producer, Arkema has successfully expanded the capacity at its Wujing (Shanghai, China) plant, which increases the capacity to 80,000 ton/year.
- This capacity increase will position us to meet the growing needs of the Asian markets which are driven by industrial and everyday consumer goods. This expansion marks a further step in the development of our activity in China through the Arkema Shanghai Hydrogen Peroxide (66.6% Arkema and 33.3% Shanghai Coking) which has been a twelve year joint venture - reports Xavier Durand-Delacre, Managing Director of Arkema`s Global Hydrogen Peroxide Business Unit.
The Shanghai hydrogen peroxide plant capacity extension was officially opened on Tuesday October 21st 2008 in the presence of the Chinese authorities and Thierry Le Hénaff, Arkema Chairman and CEO.
Arkema has become an essential partner in supporting the Asian manufacturers in markets such as pulp and paper bleaching, textile, environmental, chemical synthesis, cleaning, agro-food and electronics, which is supported by an extensive range of products and services.
Arkema operates world-class facilities in the major regions of the world. In addition to the Shanghai plant, Arkema operates two plants in Europe (Jarrie - France, and Leuna - Germany) and two plants in North America (Bécancour - Canada, and Memphis - United States).
The doubling of the Shanghai plant`s capacity increases Arkema`s global hydrogen peroxide production capacity to approximately 400,000 ton/year. This will further increase to 440,000 ton/year following the doubling of the Leuna production capacity in 2010.
In addition, to the doubling of its Shanghai hydrogen peroxide plant this follows other recent developments in China such as the continued development of the Changshu industrial platform, which includes organic peroxides, fluorochemicals and polyamides.
Specific projects were announced in September 2007 for Forane 125 and Kynar (PVDF) and as such these projects at the Changshu site are underway.
Overall Arkema`s ambition is to increase its share to 20% of sales in Asia by 2012.
A global chemical company and France`s leading chemicals producer, Arkema consists of three strategically related businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Arkema reported sales of 5.7 billion euros in 2007. Arkema has 15,200 employees in over 40 countries and six research centers located in France, the United States and Japan. With internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.
