Lubrizol Increases Global CPVC Capacity

The Lubrizol Corporation announces a more than $400 million investment over the next four years in a global expansion of its chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) resin and compounding manufacturing sites. These expansion efforts will ensure Lubrizol is well-positioned with the necessary manufacturing capabilities to readily supply global demand and position the company’s CPVC business for future growth.

With continued strong global demand for the company’s CPVC compounds, Lubrizol’s expansion efforts will be divided into two phases:

Phase I — Operational by end of 2014; Total capacity of 85,000 metric tons of CPVC resin and 100,000 metric tons of CPVC compound; Total investment of approximately $200 million

Previously announced construction of a new CPVC resin and compounding facility in the United States. Initial resin capacity will be 55,000 metric tons and compound capacity will be 65,000 metric tons with a total investment of $125 million.
Construction of a new CPVC compounding plant and warehouse in India. The total investment of $40 million will include an initial capacity of 35,000 metric tons. The sites that are under final consideration are located in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Previously announced joint investment in a CPVC resin manufacturing facility in Thailand. Initial capacity will be 30,000 metric tons with a total investment of $50 million and subject to receipt of all necessary government approvals.

Phase II – Operational by end of 2016; Adds 85,000 metric tons of CPVC resin and 100,000 metric tons of CPVC compound; Total additional investment of approximately $200 million

Addition of 55,000 metric tons of resin capacity and 65,000 metric tons of compound capacity. Sites in the United States and India are under consideration. Total additional investment of $125 million.
Expansion of the Phase I India compounding plant, adding 35,000 metric tons of capacity. Total additional investment of $15 million.
Expansion of the Phase I joint investment Thailand plant, adding 30,000 metric tons of resin capacity. Total additional investment of $50 million.
“Lubrizol is committed to ensuring product availability and quality for our global CPVC customers,” states Eric Schnur, president of Lubrizol Advanced Materials. “Through these global capacity expansion efforts, we will be in a strong position to meet global demand as well as better serve the needs of our existing and future customers to help them achieve their business success.”

Lubrizol is recognized as a global leader in reliability, quality and providing innovative solutions for its customers’ high-performance application needs and remains committed to ongoing investment in its CPVC capabilities that support future growth. The company is dedicated to providing its customers with the highest quality piping product through its insistence on using only the best raw materials and strictly managing the resin and compound manufacturing processes.

Lubrizol’s advanced polymer technology delivers exceptional performance for the plumbing, fire sprinkler, industrial and other building and construction related applications. The combination of Lubrizol’s industry leading position in key global markets and its planned capacity expansion allows the company to better support its customers’ growth with its FlowGuard®, BlazeMaster®, Corzan® and TempRite® brands.

Source: Lubrizol