Polyacetal supplier in major Korean expansion

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Inc. and Celanese Corp. are undertaking a major expansion of polyacetal (POM) resin production capacity at their affiliate Korea Engineering Plastics Co. (KEP; Seoul). Capability will be boosted by 35,000 tonnes/year to a total of 140,000 tonnes/year by the first quarter of 2014.
KEP has been producing POM in Ulsan, South Korea, since 1988 using MGC technology. The new investment in South Korea will transform the site into the world's largest production facility for POM resin
The material is used widely in the automotive and electrical/electronic market segments for mechanical components, and MGC is forecasting average annual growth for the resin of 5-6%, with supply tightness persisting for the foreseeable future.
Further, MGC is also undertaking a major expansion at its Thai Polyacetal Co. (Bangkok), with capacity their rising from the current 55,000 tonnes/year to 100,000 tonnes/year by the second quarter of 2013. With a 30% stake, TOA Dovechem Industries Co. (King Amphur Bangsaothong, Thailand) is MGC's partner in this joint venture.-mpweditorial@ubm.com