As a first step towards the planned backward integration of its resin production in the US (see Plasteurope.com of 07.10.2019), the Polynt-Reichhold group composed of Polynt (Scanzorosciate / Italy; www.polynt.it) and Reichhold (Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; www.reichhold.com) is envisaging the construction of a maleic anhydride plant. The production line with a capacity of 50,000 t/y is to be built in Morris, Illinois / USA at the site of the group’s largest polyester resin production.

The company had been looking for an existing plant to take over as an alternative but had not found a suitable candidate, said CEO Rosario Valido. The maleic anhydride plant that is to be sold for USD 100m (EUR 85m) by US competitor Ashland (Dublin, Ohio / USA; www.ashland.com) to AOC Aliancys (Collierville, Tennessee / USA; www.aoc-resins.com) was obviously not a viable option (see Plasteurope.com of 03.08.2020).

According to Valido, considerations for the further development of the phthalic anhydride route are still in an early stage. As for maleic anhydride, both the purchase of an existing plant and the construction of a new plant are considered for the second intermediate product for polyester resins. A decision should be made by the end of 2020.