May 8 2008
Saflex, a unit of Solutia Inc., today announced that it will expand its PVB resin manufacturing facilities in Antwerp, Belgium, adding 15,000 metric tons of annual capacity, which is planned to come on-stream in 2010. PVB resin is the key raw material used in making PVB sheet, which the company markets under the Saflex brand name.
Luc De Temmerman, senior vice president of Solutia Inc. and president of the Saflex business, made the announcement: "This investment demonstrates our commitment to meeting the projected growth in PVB sheet demand. It will feed our new Saflex PVB sheet extrusion line in Ghent, Belgium, which will start up later in 2008 and will create 40 million square meters of new capacity once it ramps up to full production."
In addition, Saflex is currently expanding its PVB resin capacity at its plant in Springfield, Mass., which will add 12,000 metric tons of production to the site in early 2009. De Temmerman added, "With tight supply for PVB resin and sheet, as well as growing demand on a global scale, we are committed to maintaining our leadership position in this market and ensuring that customers can look to us to provide for their needs in the future."
Solutia has been investing continuously to meet growth in demand for its PVB resin and sheet. It has constructed a new Saflex PVB sheet production facility in Suzhou, China; added capability at its Saflex PVB sheet production facility in Santo Toribio, Mexico; increased the output of its Indian Orchard PVB sheet production facility in Springfield, Mass. by 50%; and, as noted above, is close to completing a major new Saflex PVB sheet production line at its facility in Ghent, Belgium.
Posted May 8th,2008