The former Atofina business wants to double sales in the region

Arkema, the newly separated polymers business of Total, is to establish more plants in Asia as part of a strategy to double its sales to the region.

Speaking at a K2004 press conference this morning, chief executive Thierry Le Hйnaff revealed plans to spearhead the Asian expansion by setting up manufacturing plants for its Performance Products and Industrial Chemicals divisions, but new Asian PVC production was not part of the plans.

“A big part of this Asian growth will come from new manufacturing sites,” Le Hйnaff said. He acknowledged the company will need to secure raw materials supply. “In industrial chemicals if you want to grow, you have to have feedstock.”

Le Hйnaff could not say where the new facilities would be sited, but he mentioned China, Singapore and Korea as possible locations. In Europe and the US, he said the company would pursue a strategy of “selective growth”, while at the same time investing in innovation. The E5bn turnover group spends over E150m annually on R&D, he said.