To keep up with the strong growth of the acrylic esters market, Arkema announces a new 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate production unit at its Carling site (France).

" This new 50,000 metric tonnes unit will use a new innovative process developed by Arkema’s R&D and Process Department. Due to come on stream in the fall of 2009, it will help match the strong growth in the 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate world market, one of the main applications being the manufacture of pressure sensitive adhesives ", Marie-Pierre Chevallier, Managing Director of Arkema’s Acrylics Business Unit, is pleased to announce.

The commissioning of this new production unit will help strengthen the position of the Carling site, a world leading facility in terms of acrylic acid production capacity.

Acrylic esters are produced by reacting acrylic acid with an alcohol. Arkema manufactures and markets a wide range of these products, in particular methyl, ethyl, butyl and 2-ethyl hexyl acrylates.

With two world-scale production sites, in Carling (Moselle), France, and in Bayport (Texas), United States, Arkema is a leading player in the acrylics sector for which the main markets are paints and coatings, superabsorbents, water treatment, paper and textile.

A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema consists of three strategically related businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Arkema reported sales of 5.7 billion euros in 2007. Arkema has 15,200 employees in over 40 countries and six research centers located in France, the United States and Japan. With internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.