DuPont to expand titanium dioxide capacity by 2014, cites rising demand
US-based chemicals major DuPont plans to expand its titanium dioxide (TiO2) capacity by about 350,000 metric tonnes/year by the end of 2014, allowing it to meet increasing demand from its customers, it said on Wednesday.
The expansion includes new production facilities at the company's Altamira site in Mexico as well as additional investments to improve the productivity at its other titanium dioxide sites around the world, the company said.
The new line at the Altamira site, at an investment of over $500 mn, is scheduled for completion by year-end 2014, providing approximately 200,000 metric tonnes/year of new capacity.
Facility upgrades under way at the company’s five titanium dioxide manufacturing sites will continue over the next three years, yielding an additional 150,000 metric tonnes/year of capacity, the company said.
DuPont is recognized as the global leader in titanium dioxide, it said, a white pigment widely used in the coatings, paper, plastics and laminates industries.
The capacity expansion and continued focus on science-powered innovations will further enable DuPont to deliver high-quality titanium dioxide to meet rising consumer expectations for quality goods, the company noted.
"This expansion and upgrades of our facilities allow us to rapidly adapt to changes in the marketplace and consistently meet the ever-changing demands of our customer base," said DuPont Titanium Technologies president BC Chong.
"Adding capacity at our Altamira site in Mexico as well as improving our existing uptime and production rates at all sites is a vital part of our strategy to help our customers succeed,” he added. “By increasing capacity, we will ensure a sustainable supply for customers and partners to help secure their success in the marketplace."
In addition to this expansion of existing manufacturing sites, DuPont will continue to identify capacity options including continued commitment to the current Dongying greenfield plan in China and other opportunities around the world, it said.
DuPont operates TiO2 plants in DeLisle, Miss.; New Johnsonville, Tenn.; Edge Moor, Del.; Altamira, Mexico; and Kuan Yin, Taiwan - all of which use the chloride manufacturing process. The company also operates a mine in Starke, Fla., it said.
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