Kuraray (Tokyo / Japan; www.kuraray.co.jp), PTT Global Chemical (GC, Bangkok / Thailand; www.pttgcgroup.com) and trading house Sumitomo (Tokyo; www.sumitomocorp.com) have formed a joint venture to produce polyamide 9T (PA 9T) and hydrogenated styrenic block copolymers (HSBC) in Thailand. The jv company – Kuraray GC Advanced Materials – will build a new plant in the Hemaraj Eastern Industrial Estate in Map Ta Phut, Rayong, to produce 13,000 t/y of PA 9T and 16,000 t/y of HSBC. The project is due for completion after 2021. Kuraray will hold a majority share of 53.3% in the jv, while GC and Sumitomo will hold stakes of 33.4% and 13.3%, respectively.

A joint feasibility study by the three firms was announced two years ago – see Plasteurope.com of 26.09.2016. Speaking at the project’s opening ceremony in July, GC’s president Supattanapong Punmeechaow, said, “Over the past three years, our three companies have been harmonising together and put tremendous effort into making this project happen.” The project forms part of GC’s strategy to expand into performance and speciality chemicals and grow its presence in the automotive, E&E and building materials industries.