Mexichem to expand German specialty PVC plant

Mexichem subsidiary Vestolit is moving forward to expand its position as a leading producer of specialty paste polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the company announced on Friday.

Vestolit will build a new production line with an annual capacity of 40,000 metric tons of paste (emulsion) PVC. The line will combine the established leading polymerization technology with a newly-developed, energy-efficient, drying technology.

The facility in Marl, Germany, will become the largest single site for emulsion PVC following the expansion. It is already European's largest fully back-integrated PVC site.

“We are pleased to support the continued growth and development of Vestolit, as part of our global strategy to expand our asset base and increase our focus on specialty products,” said Carlos Manrique, president of Mexichem's chlor-vinyl business. “This new production line reinforces Vestolit’s reputation as a provider of efficient technological solutions to an expanding customer base.”

Vestolit is Europe’s only manufacturer of high-impact suspension PVC (HIS-PVC) for weather-resistant windows and is Europe’s second-largest producer of paste PVC for floors and wallpapers, among others. 

Vestolit also produces chlor-alkali and its derivates used for a variety of chemical and industrial applications and is vertically integrated in a single site from salt through specialty PVC. Vestolit is consolidated under Mexichem’s chlorine-vinyl chain.

"By utilizing our cutting edge technology, we will strengthen our market position in ultra-low viscous PVC and better serve our customers’ needs," said Dr. Michael Träger, CEO of Vestolit. "At the same time, we will be building on our technology platform, which can effectively be replicated at other Mexichem sites around the world."