Solvay Group has increased production of light stabilizers in Willow Island, W.Va.
The new capacity is for high molecular weight hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS). Those materials are used in Solvay's Cynergy-brand and Cyxtra-brand polymer additives, which are combined with polyethylene and polypropylene in building and construction, agricultural films and other consumer and industrial uses.
A company spokesman described the expansion as "a multimillion-dollar project" that will create 20 new jobs.
Specialty HMW HALS technology protects PE and PP against degradation caused by exposure to light and thermal forces, extending the lifetime of plastics in outdoor applications, officials said in a news release. No details on the expansion were included in the release.
"We decided to expand our capacity to better meet the needs of our customers," Polymer Additives Vice President Ning Chen said. "This investment provides peace of mind to our clients, ensuring security of supply and a faster response from Solvay. …With it, we are well-positioned to continue delivering innovative solutions and growing with our customers."
Brussels-based Solvay employs 24,000 worldwide and has annual sales of around $11.5 billion. The firm makes a wide range of specialty plastics and chemicals.