Clariant has begun the second expansion of its ethoxylation site at Clear Lake in Pasadena, Texas, USA. The new capacity, which is set to reach 125, 000 metric tons, will serve growing demand from the industrial and consumer care markets in the Americas.
Following the first expansion in 2012, now already fully utilized, the investment will provide the necessary further capacity to continue profitable growth of the Business Unit Industrial & Consumer Care (ICS) in North America and Latin America. The expansion includes new reactors and additional storage facilities, bringing the overall ethoxylation capacity to more than 125, 000 metric tons from 95,000 metric tons at present.
Products manufactured include high molecular wright polyethylene glycols (PEGs), alcohol ethoxylates, sodium isethionates and ethoxylated specialties. The current expansion brings the total investment over the last five years to CHF 65 million. The new plant will go online in mid-2015.
“Ethoxylated products including polyethylene glycols are a cornerstone of our growth strategy, especially for the fast growing markets in the Americas with their greater demand for personal and home care products,” noted Michael Willome, head of the business unit ICS.
