Arkema expands production by 30% at Nansha, China facility

To support the growth of Sartomer, a world leader in specialty photocure resins, Arkema is to expand its production capacity at its Nansha facility in China by over 30%.

A new production line for UV, LED and EB (Electron Beam) photocure resins will be installed to help meet the strong customer demand in Asia in the electronics, 3D-printing and inkjet printing cutting-edge markets.

The new line is projected to come on stream in early 2019 and will produce high performance photocure resins.

These photocure resins are primarily earmarked for the electronics market, in which they are used for the manufacture and design of printed circuits and smartphone, tablet or television screens.

They are also used in the 3D-printing market, for which Sartomer has just launched its latest generation range of solutions under the trade name N3xtDimension.

These solvent-free specialty resins are environmentally friendly, while also complying in particular with global standards on volatile organic compound (VOC) low emissions.

They will therefore enable Sartomer to capitalise on the 10% annual growth expected in the electronics and 3D-printing ‘high added value’ niche markets.

This project is consistent with the Group’s ambition to speed up the development of its advanced materials, which should eventually account for over 25% of its sales, and to continue consolidating its presence in Asia.