Sumitomo Seika expands the production capacity of its superabsorbents on Arkema Carling site

06/01/2011    Press Release

On May 31st 2011, Sumitomo Seika announced a project to add a new train to the existing superabsorbent production facility at Arkema’s Carling acrylics platform (Moselle, France). This project will expand the site’s superabsorbent annual capacity to 47,000 metric tons.

Startup of the new plant is scheduled for Spring 2013.

SAPs, or Superabsorbent Polymers, are produced from acrylic acid, and are mainly used in the growing market segments of disposable babies diapers, sanitary napkins and incontinence pads.
The commissioning of this new production unit will help strengthen the position of the  Carling Arkema site, one of the major world-scale acrylic monomer production plants.

Since 2008, when it acquired Arkema Superabsorbents Business, Sumitomo Seika has been marketing and selling, under its trade mark AQUAKEEP™, a wide range of superabsorbents manufactured on the Arkema Carling site.

A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema is building the future of the chemical industry every day. Deploying a responsible, innovation-based approach, we produce state-of-the-art specialty chemicals that provide customers with practical solutions to such challenges as climate change, access to drinking water, the future of energy, fossil fuel preservation and the need for lighter materials. With operations in more than 40 countries, 14,000 employees and 8 research centers, Arkema generates annual revenue of €5.9 billion and holds leadership positions in all its markets with a portfolio of internationally recognized brands. The world is our inspiration.