LYON, FRANCE (Jan. 10, 12:30 p.m. ET) — Europe's third ranked PVC producer Kem One of Lyon, France has announced it plans to expand production of its vinyl plant at Hernani in northern Spain.
Kem One intends to increase its capacity of emulsion PVC by 7,000 metric tons per year to 42,000 metric tons.
When the project is complete later this year, the French firm, part of global industrial commodities group Klesch & Co., will have an overall emulsion PVC capacity at its two plants in Hernani and Saint-Auban, France, of 112,000 metric tons per year.
Kem One operations comprise the former vinyl product business of the French group Arkema, acquired by Klesch in July. Kem One now employs 2,600 at 22 manufacturing sites, chiefly European, but also in Asia and North America.
“This investment will enable us to strengthen our position in Europe, and consolidate our presence in emerging markets,” commented Kem One's marketing and sales director Bertrand Jausseme.
The company has invested more to overhaul the site's packaging facilities to meet the needs of customers. It said it has significantly increased the flexibility of its bulk deliveries.
Kem One said in July it planned to invest 400 million euros over the next five years to strengthen its manufacturing performance with more modern technologies, and to develop profitable specialty products.
