Celanese strengthens polyacetal production capabilities in Asia

Celanese Corporation has announced expansion of its polyacetal (POM) manufacturing footprint in Asia to support its customers. As part of its growth strategy, Celanese will continue to invest in, and expand its joint venture agreements with Polyplastics in Malaysia, Korea Engineering Plastics (KEP) in Korea, and SABIC in Saudi Arabia. These agreements will deliver key POM grades produced exclusively for Celanese customers in the Asia region.
 
The JV partner Polyplastics Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd will increase Celanese's manufacturing footprint in Malaysia for polyacetal production at the plant in Kuantan, Pahang. The agreement with Polyplastics will expand the capacity at this facility, with construction to be completed in December 2013, and its operation expected to start in early 2014.
 
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Korea Engineering Plastics is expanding its agreement with Celanese to provide POM grades at the Kepital POM facility in Ulsan, Korea. The agreement with KEP will expand the capacity at this facility and will be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2013.
 
Meanwhile, Celanese has announced that the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for its polyacetal plant in Saudi Arabia, with its affiliate Ibn Sina, was awarded to Dragados Industrial, S.A, recently.
 
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"The expansion of these joint venture agreements is a clear sign that Celanese is committed to meeting the growing needs of our customers in the Asia region. We expect our position as a direct producer, distributor and marketer of polyacetal materials to grow in the Asia region with each of these joint venture agreements. These developments will also enable Celanese to use the full breadth of our chemistry, technology and product expertise to create value for our customers," said Phil McDivitt, VP and GM, Engineered Materials Business, Celanese.