RELEASED ON 23/01/13 (DD/MM/YY)

Japan’s Nippon Shokubai plans to start commercial operation at its new 80,000 tonne/year acrylic acid (AA) unit, together with its new 90,000 tonne/year super absorbent polymer (SAP) plant in Cilegon, Indonesia, a company source said on Wednesday.

“Both plants are likely to start commercial production by end-August, after the Ramadan holiday,” the source said referring to the fasting month of Muslims that is likely to start by the end of September based on sighting of  the moon.

The company was initially also considering building another new AA/SAP facility in Asia or Europe, considering maximum capacities of 160,000 tonnes/year of AA and 120,000 tonnes/year of SAP.

“There is currently no firm plan for the new capacity expansions after the incident at the Himeji facility,” the source said.

SAP is a raw material used in various applications, including diapers and industrial filters. While glacial acrylic acid (AA) is used in the production of SAP.

SOURCE ICIS News - For internal use only

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