Engineering plastics producer and compounder Polyplastics (Tokyo / Japan; www.polyplastics.com) is investing an undisclosed amount in expanding output at its Polyplastics Asia Pacific (PAP, Kuala Lumpur / Malaysia) subsidiary. The company intends to bring on stream another 9,000 t/y in capacity at PAP’s plant in Kuantan / Malaysia, consisting of “Duracon” POM and “Durafide” PPS. Commercial production is set to begin in June 2017, and will bring the plant’s overall nameplate capacity to 35,000 t/y.

The additional output will go towards meeting rising regional demand for compounds, and will also help strengthen Polyplastics’ ability to supply to its customers in Europe and North America. Most of all, the facility will strengthen Polyplastics’ main end market, where one of the joint venture’s owners, Celanese (Dallas, Texas / USA; www.celanese.com), has been making inroads (see also Plasteurope.com of 15.09.2015). Celanese owns a 45% stake in Polyplastics, with the remaining 55% in the hands of Japan's Daicel (Osaka; www.daicel.com).

Aside from the Kuantan facility, Polyplastics also produces engineering plastics at its plants in Fuji / Japan, Kaohsiung / Taiwan and Nantong / China. The company’s overall compounds capacity comes to about 150,000 t/y.