Arkema (Colombes, France; www.arkema.com) has successfully brought on stream a new production line for ultra-high-performance polyamide 12 powders at the Mont plant in France. The group thus increases its global capacity by over 50% to support the increase in demand for fast-growing niche industrial applications, in particular in the coatings, personal care, composites and 3D printing markets.
This investment of some €20 million in specialty polyamide powders at Mont in France will contribute to the Group’s strategy to accelerate its development in advanced materials.
Arkema’s specialty polyamide 12 powders are marketed under the brand name Orgasol. They are known for their narrow particle-size distribution and their toughness. They are often used in high-performance formulations for the coatings and personal care markets, as well as in advanced composite materials for the aerospace market. They are also extensively used in the fast-growing 3D printing market.
“The Mont site has a long, proven legacy in the production of specialty powders. With this new production capacity, we continue to actively support our customers’ continued growth in cutting edge applications, notably in high performance coatings, composites and 3D printing,” said Erwoan Pezron, Global President, Technical Polymers Business Line