02.23.21
Arkema plans to increase its fluoropolymer production capacities in Changshu, China, by 35% in 2022.
The increase in capacity is scheduled to come on stream before the end of 2022.
This new investment is fueled by further strong demand in the lithium-ion battery business as well as significant opportunities in the water filtration, construction coatings, and semiconductor industries.
The Changshu plant is the Group’s third global integrated PVDF production plant with the first batch of Kynar PVDF produced on Feb. 17, 2011.
This plant, known as Arkema’s “Tiger Plant”, as it was constructed in 2010, the year of the Tiger, represented a major strategic step for Arkema in its commitment to supply global customers from each region.
The plant was expanded several times over the decade and most recently in December 2020.
"Building and starting this plant in 2011 was a significant milestone for Arkema and continuing to grow this plant regularly is a source of great pride for the teams," said Erwoan Pezron, senior VP, High-Performance Polymers, Arkema. "We could not have taken such a step without the encouragement and support of our customers in the region. It is the same customer support that we count on for each successive investment including this latest step forward. We grow together. The first 10 years have given us strong confidence in the future of this great facility and now we continue to invest in its exciting future."