Speciality chemicals producer Emerald Kalama Chemical, part of US-based Emerald Performance Materials (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; www.emeraldmaterials.com), has completed the expansion of its facility in Rotterdam / The Netherlands. The investment of USD 40m (EUR 33.5m) increases capacity for benzoic acid and benzaldehyde as well as related derivatives to meet growing global demand, the company said. Initially, commissioning had been planned for the beginning of 2017 (see Plasteurope.com of 26.10.2016).

The expansion raises output by about 100,000 t/y for its brands of “Purox” and “Kalama” benzoic acid flakes, sodium benzoate granules and liquid benzoic acid, which are precursors for the production of phthalate-free "K-flex" plasticisers. An optimisation of the existing lines at Rotterdam by 50,000 t/y had already been completed in 2016.

The measure is intended to strengthen backward integration into raw materials and expand the position as the world's leading manufacturer of benzoic acid, benzaldehyde and derivatives, Emerald said. While investments have focused on ramping up capacity at the Rotterdam operation, the company said it has also made key investments over the last 24 months in the US, the Netherlands and the UK.