Invista (Wichita, Kansas / USA; www.invista.com) has started up a new 215,000 t/y plant for hexamethylene diamine (HMD) at its site in China’s Shanghai Chemical Industry Park. The PA 6.6 specialist said the new facility leverages its most advanced technology to produce HMD, a key intermediate for production of PA 6.6 polymer and fibre as well as polyurethanes and high performance polyamides.

Bill Greenfield, president of Invista Intermediates, called the start-up another key milestone in the region since groundbreaking ceremonies were held in 2014 for the new USD 1 bn Shanghai complex, which will also include a 150,000 t/y plant for PA 6.6 and a 300,000 t/y plant for adiponitrile (ADN) – see Plasteurope.com of 31.03.2014. Asia, and China in particular, remains a region with long-term potential for demand growth in PA 6.6, and the new HMD facility enables the company to better support its customers through better service and shorter lead time, Greenfield said.