Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, announced today that it will locate a new GUR® ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) facility at the Celanese integrated chemical complex in Nanjing, China.
The new, world-class 20,000 metric ton plant will increase the company’s global GUR UHMW-PE capacity to 90,000 metric tons and is expected to begin commercial operations in the second half of 2008.
“As the world’s leading producer of UHMW-PE, our investment in Nanjing will further extend our global manufacturing capability to meet our customers’ needs for quality GUR products worldwide,” said David Postolowski, global GUR business director.
Celanese is currently developing its fully integrated acetyls complex at the Nanjing Industrial Park site, which consists of a 600,000 metric-ton acetic acid facility, a 300,000 metric-ton vinyl acetate monomer plant and a 100,000 metric-ton acetic anhydride unit. The company is also constructing specialty acetyl derivatives units to produce vinyl acetate ethylene emulsions and conventional emulsion polymers.
“Locating Ticona’s GUR plant at this integrated complex will expand our substantial position in Asia,” said Lyndon Cole, president of Ticona and Celanese executive vice president. “As a region of tremendous economic growth, Asia offers our customers rapid expansion opportunities, and we intend to be able to deliver our products to them through our established and growing presence in the region.”
About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona Engineering Polymers is one of the businesses of Celanese Corporation. Ticona produces and markets a broad range of engineering polymers and achieved sales of $915 million in 2006. Ticona has approximately 2,000 employees at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil.
As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE) makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.7 billion in 2006, with approximately 60% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,900 employees worldwide
For further information about Ticona and Celanese, please visit: www.ticona.com and www.celanese.com.
Unless noted otherwise, all registered trademarks are owned by Ticona and its affiliates.
