Celanese plans to reduce acetate tow production in Belgium by 50%

The US-based specialty materials company Celanese Corporation is planning to reduce acetate tow production capacity at Lanaken (Belgium) site by 50 percent.
 
Lou Purvis, vice president and general manager of the Consumer Specialties segment, Celanese, said, “This proposal results from ongoing changes in the global demand for acetate tow products, especially in Europe, which has been declining and further shifting to Asia and developing countries, and is not in any way a reflection on the employees. Going forward, given the capacity and capability of our global production assets, we are confident in our ability to reliably supply customers in the future from our facilities in Narrows, Virginia; Ocotlan, Mexico; and from the remaining capacity at the Lanaken plant.”
 
Acetate tow is a fibrous material used in various products such as cigarette filters, ink reservoirs for pens, fibre tips for markers, medical testing devices, oil & fuel filters, etc.
 
Celanese’s Lanaken plant is located in the Belgian province of Limburg and has a current nameplate capacity of approximately 52,000 tonnes per year and employs approximately 240 employees. Celanese’s current global acetate tow capacity is 177,000 metric tonnes.
 
Celanese’s Lanaken site leaders will fully consult on the proposal with employee representatives and support them through this process.