Arkema increases Kynar fluoropolymer capacity in China

Arkema will increase the capacity of Kynar PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride) by 25 percent at its Changshu facility near Shanghai (China) to meet the strong demand for the product in applications such as new energies and water treatment. This investment will support the group’s ambition in technical polymers, and is part of its strategy to speed up the growth of its high performance materials division.

Through this investment, Arkema, which operates production facilities on the three continents of Europe, North America and Asia, asserts its world-leading position in this business.

Following the doubling of its Kynar fluoropolymers production capacity in Changshu in 2012, this latest 25 percent increase in the plant’s capacity will enable Arkema to further support the growth of its customers in Asia, in particular in the new energies (batteries and photovoltaics) and water management markets, as well as in the traditional markets of coatings and industry. This investment demonstrates to the success of the Group's R&D in the development of innovative applications that address the major issues of sustainable development as well as tomorrow's challenges.