On February 24, 2021, Arkema announced an investment to further increase the fluoropolymer production capacity of its Changshu base in China, that is, to achieve a 35% increase in PVDF production capacity by 2022. At the same time, Arkema celebrated the first decade of PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) production in Changshu.
The new capacity is expected to be put into production before the end of 2022. Driven by further strong demand from the lithium battery business, and major opportunities in the water filtration, architectural coatings and semiconductor industries, this new investment has emerged.
The PVDF plant in Changshu was built by Arkema Group in the context of strong growth potential in Asia, especially China, for the existing coatings market and the rapidly rising lithium battery and water filtration market. It is the group’s third globally integrated PVDF production plant. . The first batch of KynarPVDF was produced on February 17, 2011. The factory was built in 2010 in the "tiger" year, so it is called Arkema's "tiger factory". This is a major strategic step in Arkema's commitment to provide regional supply to customers around the world. Today, Arkema's well-established Changshu platform has become the center of fluorochemicals, and its geographic location has placed its business activities at the center of its customer base.
In the past ten years, the Changshu PVDF plant has been expanded several times, the most recent being in December 2020. Throughout the development process, this factory demonstrated its outstanding commitment to employee safety and product quality. The factory is equipped with the most advanced facilities and can produce almost all specifications of PVDF fluoropolymer.
"For Arkema, the establishment and launch of this factory in 2011 is an important milestone; the continuous expansion of the factory also makes our team very proud," said Arkema, senior vice president of the high-performance polymer business unit. Mr. Hua (Erwoan Pezron) said, “Without the encouragement and support of our local customers, we cannot take this step. Each of our subsequent investments, including the latest investment, depends on their support. We and our customers Grow together. The first decade of this large factory has given us full confidence in its future; now, we will continue to invest in its exciting future."
Based on its unique material science expertise, Arkema provides a series of first-class technologies to meet the growing demand for new and sustainable materials. By 2024, Arkema aims to become a pure specialty materials manufacturer, focusing on three complementary, strong and highly innovative specialty materials business units, namely adhesive solutions, advanced materials and coating solutions – approximately accounting for group sales 80% of the total, and a well-positioned and competitive intermediate sector. Arkema provides cutting-edge technology solutions to address challenges including new energy, water resources acquisition, recycling, urbanization and mobility, and promotes long-term dialogue with all stakeholders. In 2019, Arkema has annual sales of 8.7 billion euros, has operations in approximately 55 countries around the world, and has 20,500 employees.