Kuraray GC Advanced Materials (Bangkok / Thailand), a JV between Kuraray (Tokyo / Japan; www.kuraray.co.jp), PTT Global Chemical (Bangkok; www.pttgcgroup.com) and trading house Sumitomo (Tokyo; www.sumitomocorp.com), is to proceed with a new project to produce polyamide 9T (PA 9T) and hydrogenated styrenic block copolymers (HSBC) in Thailand. Located in the WHA "Hemaraj Eastern Industrial Estate" in Map Ta Phut, Rayong, the facility will have the capacity to produce 13,000 t/y of PA 9T and 16,000 t/y of HSBC. The JV partners have been conducting a feasibility study for the project, which relies on butadiene feedstock supplies from PTT, since September 2016 – see Plasteurope.com of 26.09.2016.

In addition, Kuraray confirmed plans to build, alone, a 5,000 t/y production plant for 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol (MPD) adjacent to the Kuraray GC Advanced Materials project. The Japanese company said it expects construction for the projects to be completed by the end of 2021, with its investment totalling approximately JPY 40 bn (EUR 321m). The specific costs of the Kuraray GC Advanced Materials project and the Kuraray MPD project were not disclosed.

Kuraray GC Advanced Materials was established in June 2018 and is majority owned by Kuraray, with a 53.3% stake. PTT holds a 33.4% share and Sumitomo holds 13.3% – see Plasteurope.com of 24.08.2018.