Ticona and Kureha JV Marked by Milestones to Help Meet Global Demand for High-Performance FortronŽ PPS |
Ticona Engineering Polymers
8040 Dixie Hwy.
Florence, KY, 41042
USA
Press release date: February 15, 2012
Florence, Ky., Sulzbach, Germany, Shanghai, PR China, Feb. 15, 2012 - Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, and Kureha Corporation are marking the 20th anniversary of Fortron Industries LLC, a joint venture that continues to meet an increased global demand for FortronŽ polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).
"Since signing the partnership agreement in 1992, Ticona and Kureha have invested in technologies aimed at increasing output and improving the overall productivity of the PPS manufacturing process," said Global Fortron PPS Strategy Manager Michaela Reuter. "Today, we are delivering products to customers throughout North and South America, Europe and the Far East from the Fortron Industries plant in Wilmington, N.C., the world's largest PPS operation."
Fortron Industries uses PPS production technology that incorporates Kureha's advanced environmentally friendly "one unit" process as well as Ticona's sales, marketing, distribution, compounding and polymer manufacturing expertise.
Fortron has ramped up production and added new staff at its state-of-the-art Wilmington plant, which has a nameplate capacity of 15,000 metric tons per year, to meet a worldwide demand for its high-performance polymer used in the most demanding applications. This specialty material offers excellent chemical and thermal resistance, high hardness, rigidity and dimensional stability, and low creep and moisture absorption.
Fortron PPS is a proven high-performance plastic found in various award-winning applications - automotive blow-molded charge air pipe, first welded thermoplastic composite aircraft primary structure and aircraft thermoplastic modular composite seat back assembly.This semi-crystalline polymer is often used to replace metals and thermosets in various applications:
o Automotive - fuel systems, transmission components, water management, air management and electronics
o Electrical/Electronics - sensors, connectors, plugs, switches, sockets, transformers, bobbins and circuit boards
o Aerospace - structural and non-structural aircraft composite components
o Fluid Handing - enhanced oil and gas recovery, pumps and valves, and potable water valves and fittings
o Industrial / Consumer - appliances, HVAC, technical fibers and fabrics for filtration and conveyor system components
"The results of the Ticona and Kureha joint venture clearly demonstrate our commitment to the industry's need for this high-performance polymer," said Fortron Industries President Fred Samz. "We will continue to develop innovative grades that allow designers throughout the world to create the next generation of products that capitalize on the strengths of Fortron PPS."
The joint venture has resulted in numerous milestones throughout its 20 years:
1992
o Fortron Industries, a company for producing Fortron PPS, is set up as a joint venture by Hoechst Celanese and Kureha Chemical
o Construction begins on PPS polymer plant in Wilmington
1993
o PPS polymer plant in Wilmington comes on stream
1996
o Wilmington PPS polymer plant reaches full capacity
1998
o Plans to increase capacity at Wilmington plant disclosed
2001
o Fortron Industries Evaluates Expansion Opportunities Based on Newly Developed Technologies by Venture Partners
o Ticona Introduces Two Polyphenylene Sulfide Grades with Exceptionally Low Wear and Low Coefficients of Friction
o Ticona Introduces First PPS Line Certified for Medical, Pharmaceutical and Repeat Food-Contact Applications
2002
o Ticona Expands North American Compounding Capacity for PBT, PET, LCP, PPS, Acetal and Nylon 6/6 at Shelby and Florence Plants
o Ticona Introduces Impact-Modified Grade of Polyphenylene Sulfide
2003
o Ticona Offers Five Fortron PPS and Eight Vectra LCP Grades for Drug Delivery, Medical Devices, Packaging
o Ticona Offers First Commercial Grades of Polyphenylene Sulfide for Meltblown Nonwovens
o Ticona Introduces Auto Engine Cooling System Grade of Fortron Polyphenylene Sulfide, 1140EC
2004
o Ticona to Boost Fortron PPS Plant Capacity by 25 percent by end of 2005
o Further Fortron PPS Plant Capacity Expansion Approved; New Plant Planned
2005
o Fortron Industries to Double Fortron PPS Plant in Wilmington, N.C., to 15,000 mTPY
o $65 Million Fortron PPS Plant Expansion - Preliminary and Process Design Completed, Purchasing of Long-Lead Items Begun and Design Engineer Selected
2006
o Construction Begins on $65 Million Fortron PPS Expansion
2007
o Fortron Industries Creates World's Largest Polyphenylene Sulfide Facility - Expansion to 15,000 mTPY Doubles Capacity of its Fortron PPS Plant in Wilmington, N.C.
2008
o Ticona Introduces Low-Chlorine Content Fortron PPS Developed For Electrical and Electronic Applications
2009
o Blow-Molded Charge Air Pipe Made Of Fortron PPS From Ticona Engineering Polymers Captures Top Honors
o Ticona Develops 2nd Gen Low Viscosity Fortron PPS To Help E/E Applications Meet Low Halogen Requirements
2010
o Celanese Increases Fortron PPS Production at Wilmington, N.C., Plant To Meet Global Demand
o Materials From Ticona Offer Long-Term Performance In Direct Contact With AdBlue
o Ticona Introduces New Low-Swell Fortron PPS For Use In Aggressive Auto Fuel Systems
o Ticona Adds New High-Flow Fortron PPS To Portfolio of Polymers For Use In Appliance And Industrial Applications
2011
o International Panel Recognizes Ticona and Collaborators for Fortron PPS-Based Structural Composite Seat Back
About Kureha Corporation
Kureha Corporation is a leading diversified chemical products manufacturer that has applied its technological development expertise to create original products in fields including advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and packaging materials. To support its mission of "the pursuit of excellence", the Company operates on the principles of its corporate identity: we treasure people and the environment, we constantly evolve through innovation, and we contribute to society by developing beneficial products. Kureha Corporation is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE code 4023) and has manufacturing locations in Japan, China, Vietnam, the Netherlands and the United States. Established in 1944, it now employs approximately 4000 people and had sales of 132 billion yen ($1,591 million) in fiscal 2011. For more information, see www.kureha.co.jp.
About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of high performance products, and posted net sales of $1,298 million in fiscal 2011. Ticona employs more than 1,500 individuals at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany, Brazil and China. For more information, please visit www.ticona.com or www.ticona.cn (Chinese language).
Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of specialty materials and chemical products which are used in most major industries and consumer applications. Our products, essential to everyday living, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Known for operational excellence, sustainability and premier safety performance, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 7,600 employees worldwide and had 2011 net sales of $6.8 billion, with approximately 73% generated outside of North America. For more information about Celanese Corporation and its global product offerings, visit www.celanese.com.
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