World number two in PA 66 will add Asian polymerisation to compounding position

French nylon maker Rhodia is to build its first polymerisation facility in Asia, with the construction of a 48,000tpa PA66 unit at Onsan in South Korea. Production of nylon salt and PA66 polymer for engineering polymer and industrial fibre uses at the E40m plant is expected to get under way at the end of next year.

“Our investment will allow Rhodia Polyamide to provide a better service to its customers in Asia, as well as capture new opportunities in a market enjoying a very high annual growth rate of around 20%,” said Laurent Schmitt, president of the business. Earlier this year, the world number two in PA66 opened a new compounding facility near Shanghai, underlining its leadership position in the Asian market for this sector of the nylon business.