Eastman to expand Texas City plasticizers plant
Eastman Chemical is expanding capacity of its Eastman 168 non-phthalate plasticizers at its manufacturing facility in Texas City, Texas, the company announced on Thursday.
The expansion at the site will increase the overall capacity of Eastman 168 by approximately 15% and is expected to be operational by mid-2014.
“We are pleased to announce this capacity addition at our Texas City manufacturing facility,” said Jon Woods, unit director for Eastman's plasticizers business. “Since this expansion leverages an existing asset, it will be completed with minimal capital investment and also positions us to execute another similar expansion on the same line in the near future.
"These planned capacity additions are consistent with our expectations of market growth envisioned when we acquired the Texas City facility in 2011," he added. "Demand for non-phthalate plasticizers continues to strengthen across a variety of end-markets and end-uses and this investment will allow Eastman to sustain its leadership position of serving the needs of current and new customers, particularly in North America and Europe.”
Non-phthalate plasticizers are broadly used in products such as toys, childcare items, food contact materials and medical devices, and are also used to provide flexibility to PVC in a wide variety of applications.
End markets for non-phthalate plasticizers include building and construction, health and wellness, and a broad range of consumer products.
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