Polycarbonates Covestro expands polycarbonate production in Shanghai

China - Shortly after doubling its polycarbonate production capacity at its Shanghai site to 400,000 tons per year, Covestro will expand its capacity to 600,000 metric tons per year.

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The company announced that this step is achieved through de-bottlenecking of its production lines and is their response to the strong customer demand for polycarbonates in the Asia-Pacific region. The expanded capacity will be available starting 2019.

“The expansion is essential to satisfy the growing demand”, said Chief Technology Officer Dr. Klaus Schäfer. “The successful completion of this project will strengthen our global production network and demonstrates our continuous commitment to the Chinese market.”

Especially lightweight, highly transparent, break-proof and easy to shape, polycarbonate is used in many areas of modern life — from electronic and IT appliances to automotive parts to medical devices and LED lighting. With the capacity expansion of the largest polycarbonate production site in the world, the manufacturer intends to strengthen its global position in polycarbonate resins.

Michelle Jou, Global Head of Covetro´s Polycarbonates segment, said, “There is a rapidly growing demand for polycarbonate resins and blends, in particular in China. Segments like electronics, healthcare and automotive are our key customer industries in that region. Further expanding our capacity for this high-tech plastic enables us to even better react to the changing needs of our customers and to guarantee sustainable supply.”

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Process saltwater at the production site will be recycled and used again to produce chlorine and sodium hydroxide, two chemicals that in turn are needed as raw materials for polycarbonates. “By using our innovative recycling process technology we safeguard our high level of cost efficiency”, said Schäfer.

This article appeared in www.process-worldwide.com.

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