Polyplastics (Tokyo; www.polyplastics-global.com) said it plans to build a larger POM plant at its Chinese site in Nantong. According to the Japanese company, in March 2021 the administration of China’s Nantong Economic and Technological Development Zone asked Polyplastics subsidiary PTM Engineering Plastics, the operating company, to suspend operations at the previous plant, referring to its “policy” without giving any further details.

The firm plans to build the new capacity in Nantong in two stages. By November 2024, equipment for 90,000 t/y of POM will be installed, which Polyplastics says will offset the closure of the current plant. In a later, final expansion, the Nantong site is expected to reach a capacity of 150,000 t/y POM, covering the demand for the Chinese market.

At the other production sites in Fuji (Japan), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), and Kuanatan (Malaysia), capacities will then be freed up for supplying markets in Europe, the US, and Southeast Asia. Polyplastics currently has a total capacity of 290,000 t/y.