As part of its plans to produce the high performance polymer polyether ether ketone (PEEK) in China, speciality chemicals group Degussa (Düsseldorf / Germany; www.degussa.com) has acquired production technology and patents for polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK) from German engineering plastics producer Ticona (Kelsterbach; www.ticona.com).

Armed with the Ticona know-how and that of its Chinese partner, Jilin University, Degussa is planning to enter competition with Victrex (Thornton, Cleveley, UK; www.victrex.com), currently the only important producer of PEEK. According to Degussa, the total market is 1,850 t/y. However, Victrex plans to add 50% to its current 2,800 t/y output.

Jida Degussa High Performance Polymers Changchun, in which Degussa holds 80%, Jilin 20%, has capacity to produce 500 t/y of PEEK and 300 t/y of polysulphone ether (PES). With an eye to supplying the automotive, electronics and aerospace markets, the jv will expand output, said Degussa high performance polymers business unit head Joachim Leluschko. The first developments with customers will begin when all permits for the new company´s start-up have been obtained.