Invista received Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval from the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau for a plant capabile of product 215,000 tons per year of hexamethylene diamine (HMD)at the Shanghai Chemical Industrial Park.
When production comes on line, Invistas global HMD enterprise will be well-positioned to serve the rapidly growing Asia Pacific markets for a variety of nylon 6,6 applications, as well as high performance polyurethanes.
This new plant will give Invista and its customers a significant competitive advantage, said Steve Kromer, Invista senior vice president, responsible for implementation of Invistas integrated nylon 6,6 intermediates investment strategy in Asia. With new local production, the plant will facilitate the growing needs of our Asia businesses and strengthen our position in the region as supplier of choice.
The new plant will be the most energy efficient HMD facility in the world, according to Kromer. It underscores Invistas continuing focus on improving energy efficiency, minimizing environmental impact and developing innovative technologies.
Invista is also working on the next phases of its China investments in nylon 6,6, including facilities to produce ADN using its proprietary technology, nylon 6,6 polymer, and engineering polymer compounds.
Given Invistas strong commitment to the Asia market, the company has invested more than $100 million in various projects in the region in the past 12 months, including a new Easy Set Lycra fiber production line in Tuas, Singapore, the expansion of its nylon 6,6 airbag fiber facility and opening of its China Textile Research Center in the Qingpu District of Shanghai. Invista has also helped start up some of the largest polyester and spandex intermediates plants in the world, with clients in China utilizing proprietary, Invista-licensed technologies.
