AkzoNobel’s (Amsterdam, the Netherlands; www.akzonobel.com) Specialty Chemicals business has entered the next phase of a major expansion at its organic peroxides facility in Ningbo, China, which will increase production capacity by more than 100% by the third quarter of 2018.
The company’s Ningbo site produces dicumyl peroxide (DCP), an organic peroxide used as a crosslinking agent in the manufacture of polymers. Capacity at the site was boosted by 40% in August, following the completion of an initial project, and is set to double to a capacity of 38,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr).
“The market for DCP is strong and continues to grow globally,” says Johan Landfors, Managing Director of AkzoNobel’s Polymer Chemistry business. “This new expansion is necessary to meet that demand, and is also a visible demonstration of the company’s continued commitment to invest in the future of the Specialty Chemicals business.”
DCP is used in the production of a variety of polymers that need to have exceptional durability. These polymers can be found in many different products, including shoe soles – a market which is growing significantly, especially in developing countries. DCP is also used in polymers for insulating high voltage cables, which are increasingly in demand for upgrading electricity networks, connecting offshore wind parks and other sources of renewable energy.