Japanese chemical group Kaneka (Osaka; www.kaneka.co.jp) has announced an expansion of facilities producing modifiers for epoxy resins. Capacity for the “Kane Ace MX” range produced at the group’s site in Takasago / Japan is to be doubled by July 2020. Kaneka plans to invest around JPY 1.6 bn (about EUR 13m) for this expansion.

Among other things, the Kane Ace MX additives are used to increase the toughness and durability of thermosetting epoxy resins without affecting their thermal resistance. The modified resins are suitable adhesives for automotive applications as well as wind power generator rotor blades and are used as reinforcing materials for composites. Considering the trend towards lightweight construction in the automotive and aviation industries, Kaneka is expecting a worldwide increase in demand.

At the end of 2018, the group after a long delay expanded the pilot plant for the production of its “PHBH” biodegradable polymer made from vegetable oil – see Plasteurope.com of 24.09.2018. Capacity at Takasago is set to be increased from 1,000 t/y to 5,000 t/y by the end of 2019. The next step is an increase to 20,000 t/y, for which Kaneka has not yet named a target date.