Eastman to expand global capacity for plasticizers
Eastman Chemical announced a second expansion of its Benzoflex plasticizer line at the Kohtla-Järve site in Estonia. The expansion will increase capacity at the site by an additional 11,000 metric tons and is expected to be completed by the end of the 2012 second quarter.
The company also announced plans for expansion of the Benzoflex plasticizers and Admex polymeric plasticizers lines at its sites in Chestertown, Md., and Kingsport, Tenn.
The total capacity for the expansions in North America is approximately 9,000 metric tons and is also expected to be completed by the end of second quarter 2012.
“These expansions reflect the continuing growth in demand for alternatives to traditional phthalate products,” said Heidi Barnes, oxo and plasticizers business director.
A benzoic acid derivative, Benzoflex is used in coatings, adhesives, sealants and caulks, and is also used to provide flexibility to PVC in a wide variety of applications, including vinyl flooring.
Admex plasticizers are used to enable flexible vinyl compounds to compete with rubber and thermoplastic elastomers in a variety of applications, including PVC-based adhesive tapes, conveyor belts, gaskets and hoses.
Benzoflex and Admex plasticizers are non-phthalates for manufacturers who are looking for sustainable alternatives to traditional phthalate plasticizers.
"Around the world, customers continue to preferentially select Eastman’s non-phthalate plasticizers," said Joost Berting, managing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa region.
"These capacity expansions for our Benzoflex plasticizer product line are a demonstration of our commitment to grow with our customers in a sustainable way both in established markets as well as fast expanding regions,” he added.
Comments