Arkema’s new reactor in Clear Lake (source: Arkema)
Arkema (Colombes, France; www.arkema.com) has successfully brought on stream, and on schedule, a new 90,000-ton/yr acrylic acid reactor at its Clear Lake, Texas site.
Equipped with the latest production technologies, this new reactor replaces two decommissioned reactors, which each had production capacity of 45,000 tons.
This investment of approximately $90 million positions Clear Lake as one of the most competitive acrylic acid sites in the United States.
This new capacity will enable the Group to support the growth of its North American customers in markets such as superabsorbents, paints and coatings, adhesives, and polymers for water treatment and enhanced oil and gas recovery. This expansion consolidates Arkema’s position as the second largest producer of acrylic acid in the region.