Solvay expands its sulfone polymer business in the US

Solvay has announced ambitious expansion plans for its sulfone business in the United States, which focuses on polymer solutions for a variety of key life science applications, as part of its ability to build capabilities in this area to support a growing global customer base
.

The multi-year expansion plan will eventually involve all of Solvay's sulfone polymers, including Udel® polysulfone (PSU), Veradel® polyethersulfone (PESU) and Radel® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU)
.
The first major investment step will include a more than 25% increase in Udel® PSU capacity at the company's Marietta, Ohio, production site by 2024, with the majority of the capacity increase expected to come online in early 2023
.
Likewise, to strengthen Solvay's market leadership, dichlorodiphenylsulfone (DCDPS) production capacity will also be expanded by more than 25% by 2024, allowing the company's production site in Augusta, Georgia to have capacity Increase by the end of 2022
.

"This new multi-year plan marks an important step in our future growth strategy and confirms our No.
1 position in the U.
S.
sulfone polymer market," said Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay's Materials Division.
"Fundamentally, the expansion will address the growth potential of our sulfone products in high-performance lifesaving and life-sustaining areas such as healthcare, water purification and pharmaceutical processing
.
"

Key application market areas that will benefit from these investments include hemodialysis, medical devices and pharmaceuticals - in development and production, as well as water purification, where Solvay expects strong double-digit growth in global demand
.
In addition, high-performance sulfone polymers are playing an increasing role in residential and commercial heating and plumbing systems
.