Posted March 31, 2014

 

SHANGHAI – INVISTA broke ground on March 26 on new hexamethylene diamine (HMD) and nylon 6,6 polymer plants at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP) in China.

 

These facilities mark a key milestone in INVISTA’s plans for integrated nylon 6,6 facilities in the China market and underscore the company’s commitment to the region, the company said.

 

More than 300 people attended the ceremony, including senior government officials from SCIP, the Jinshan government and related authorities, local customers, INVISTA leadership and employees.

 

“China is one of the most important regions for our growth strategy,” said Jeff Gentry, INVISTA’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We have seen significant growth in the region in recent years, and we plan to continue to bring our latest innovative technologies here. The theme of our groundbreaking event – Growing Together: a New Era of Nylon 6,6 – reflects the fact that we are working closely with our customers to build the local nylon and polyurethane markets.”

 

The 215,000-ton HMD plant and the 150,000-ton polymer plant are expected to start up in 2015. INVISTA has already received several government permits; most recently, the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau granted Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval for the polymer facility.

 

In addition to the HMD and polymer plants, INVISTA has plans for a future, 300,000-ton adiponitrile (ADN) facility. Once completed, INVISTA’s new facilities will be among the most energy-efficient nylon intermediates sites in the world and will employ INVISTA’s most advanced technologies for ADN, HMD and polymer production, according to the company.

 

The overall investment in these plants will exceed $1 billion, which will be the largest capital investment undertaken by INVISTA to date.

 

“We believe that China is driving global nylon demand growth, and the use of nylon 6,6 intermediates and polymer in the region will be increasing,” said Warren Primeaux, president of INVISTA Intermediates. “The new facilities will enable INVISTA to provide customers with better service, shorter lead time and a local resource for production. We are excited to continue supporting the increasing regional demand for durable goods – products that can be enhanced by the use of nylon 6,6.”

 

HMD, ADN and nylon 6,6 polymer are materials used in the production of nylon 6,6 fibers and polymers that ultimately become part of air bags, automobile parts, carpet, workout apparel, outdoor equipment and more.