Arkema to build a new bio-based polyamide 11 powders plant in China

Colombes, France – In parallel with its major project to increase global capacity of bio-based polyamide 11 by 50% in Singapore, Arkema announces the construction of a polyamide 11 powders plant on its Changshu platform in China, scheduled to come on stream in the first quarter of 2023. This investment will further support the growing demand for advanced bio-circular materials in Asia.

Rilsan® polyamide 11 powders, currently produced in France entirely from renewable castor beans, are recognized worldwide for their superior properties and performance in terms of toughness, durability, lightweight and processing versatility. They are used in very demanding applications and provide innovative solutions for fast-growing markets driven by megatrends such as durable home appliances, energy-efficient transport, and advanced additive manufacturing (3D printing) primarily for consumer, industrial, and aerospace markets.

Beyond the bio-based nature of the powder, this project will also contribute to Arkema’s ambitious sustainability commitments by using highly efficient manufacturing processes and by being physically closer to the new amino 11 plant in Singapore.

“We are very excited about this expansion”, said Erwoan Pezron, Senior Vice President, High Performance Polymers. “There is strong and growing demand in Asia across all of our key powders markets and this added capacity will enable us to supply the region from within the region.”

This expansion goes hand in hand with the Group’s major polyamide 11 plant currently under construction in Singapore, which is on track to start production mid-2022, and is included in the €450 million exceptional capital expenditure envelope dedicated to polyamide expansion in Asia.