Feb 19 2007
Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, announced today that it will locate a new GUR® ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) facility at the Celanese integrated chemical complex in Nanjing, China.
The new, world-class 20,000 metric ton plant will increase the company’s global GUR UHMW-PE capacity to 90,000 metric tons and is expected to begin commercial operations in the second half of 2008.
“As the world’s leading producer of UHMW-PE, our investment in Nanjing will further extend our global manufacturing capability to meet our customers’ needs for quality GUR products worldwide,” said David Postolowski, global GUR business director.
Celanese is currently developing its fully integrated acetyls complex at the NanjingIndustrial Park site, which consists of a 600,000 metric-ton acetic acid facility, a 300,000 metric-ton vinyl acetate monomer plant and a 100,000 metric-ton acetic anhydride unit. The company is also constructing specialty acetyl derivatives units to produce vinyl acetate ethylene emulsions and conventional emulsion polymers.
“Locating Ticona’s GUR plant at this integrated complex will expand our substantial position in Asia,” said Lyndon Cole, president of Ticona and Celanese executive vice president. “As a region of tremendous economic growth, Asia offers our customers rapid expansion opportunities, and we intend to be able to deliver our products to them through our established and growing presence in the region.”