Arkema finalises JV with Jurong Chemical for acrylics

French specialty chemicals company Arkema has finalised the first stage of its acrylics assets acquisition project in Taixing, China, and now has access to a modern and competitive 160,000 tonne per annum (tpa) acrylic acid production capacity in Asia for the sum of $ 240 million. This investment will enable the Group to serve its customers in China and in Asia in growing markets such as superabsorbents, paints, adhesives and water treatment.
 
Arkema has finalised the creation of Sunke, a joint venture with Jurong Chemical, in which Arkema has a majority interest, and which consists in particular of two acrylic acid production lines each amounting to 160,000 tpa located on the Taixing site in China. With the closing of this first stage, Arkema has access to half of the site’s installed production.
 
“This new site will enable us to meet our customers’ growing demand for acrylic acid and esters in China and in Asia, and to support the growth of our Coating Solutions segment in this region of the world. The successful integration of these new assets will be a priority for the Group and its personnel over the next few months,” stated Marc Schuller, member of Arkema’s Executive Committee.
 
Jurong Chemical is the world’s fifth largest producer of acrylic acid and the acrylics leader in China.