Arkema (Colombes, France; www.arkema.com) announced a project to double its methyl mercaptan production capacity at its Kerteh site in Malaysia to support the strong growth of the animal feed, petrochemical and refining markets in Asia, and to strengthen its world-leading position in high value-added sulfur derivatives.
Following the successful ramp-up of the Thiochemicals Kerteh plant started early 2015, Arkema will double its production capacity of methyl mercaptan, a sulfur-based intermediate that is key to the manufacture of methionine and other sulfur derivatives businesses. Annual growth of these markets is expected to exceed 5% in the coming years.
This project should come onstream in 2020 and will represent one of the main pillars of the group’s future growth.