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News Release from: DSM Somos
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 September 2006
Dutch speciality plastics plants to be
built
Royal DSM is to construct two manufacturing facilities at its Chemelot site in Geleen, the Netherlands in response to market growth for polyamide and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
Royal DSM has decided to construct two new manufacturing facilities at its Chemelot site in Geleen, the Netherlands DSM is making these investments in response to excellent market growth for two of the company's top specialty products, Stanyl polyamide 46 and Stamylan UH ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, which is used among other things as a raw material for Dyneema high strength fibers
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 13 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The new Stanyl plant and the new Stamylan facility, which will each double existing production capacity, are scheduled to come on line in 2008.
The total investment will be around EUR 100 million.
The high performance material Stanyl is used in a variety of applications, such as automotive, cell phones, computers and personal electronics.
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In addition, there is rapid growth in new, innovative applications such as fine pitch connectors for LCDs, reflector packages for LEDs, and gears in all kind of applications, for example seat recliners and starter motors.
Stamylan UH is used as a high strength, wear-resistant engineering plastic in industrial, sports and other applications and in Dyneema, the world's strongest fiber.
This new investment will secure supply to DSM's growing Dyneema fiber business and will make it possible to meet the sourcing requirements of other customers.
"These investments are another major step in the context of DSM's strategy Vision 2010 - Building on Strengths," said Nico Gerardu, member of DSM's managing board.
"They will fuel the profitable growth of our specialty performance materials Stanyl, Stamylan UH and Dyneema and build on our strengths in marketing and application development of these products." DSM is the sole worldwide producer of polyamide 46.
With the new Stanyl plant, DSM will operate two Stanyl plants at the Chemelot site in Geleen (NL) to supply Stanyl base resin worldwide to DSM's operations in Europe, USA, Japan and, most recently, China.
"Production of Stanyl base resin is supported by our ability to manufacture our own high-purity diaminobutane," commented Jos Goessens, president of DSM Engineering Plastics.
Diaminobutane is the key monomer in the production of Stanyl.
DSM has also decided to start the basic engineering to debottleneck the diaminobutane plant in Geleen, to match the increased production capacity for Stanyl.
"With the second Stanyl facility and the capacity expansion for diaminobutane, we can secure the supply of Stanyl to support the excellent growth of our customers worldwide in the years ahead," added Goessens.
"The fact that DSM is making these major investments at the Chemelot site in Geleen, its biggest and oldest manufacturing site, shows the competitive power of this site and also demonstrates DSM's commitment to it.
These investments will give another boost to our site and to the economic growth of the region," commented Frans Pistorius, president of DSM Nederland.
* About Stanyl polyamide - Stanyl, the highest performance polyamide in the world, is a unique, high-crystallinity material that exhibits exceptional heat resistance, stiffness and strength, chemical resistance and processability.
In addition, it has a low coefficient of friction and resists creep and deformation.
Automotive applications of Stanyl include chain tensioners, engine covers, gears, sensors and clutch rings.
Electrical applications include connectors, circuit breaker housings, microswitches, electric motor parts, and a variety of components for consumer electronics.
Consumer applications include muffler covers for gas operated tools, water kettle components including safety switches, and a variety of other hand and power tool components.
* About Stamylan UH high molecular weight polyethylene - Stamylan UH is a very high molecular weight polyethylene that exhibits excellent toughness and resistance to abrasion, outstanding chemical resistance and good low friction, non-stick characteristics.
It is widely used for wear-resistant components in industrial, bulk materials handling and sports equipment as well as in ultra-strong fibers.
* About Dyneema polyethylene fiber - Dyneema is a super strong polyethylene fiber that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight.
It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on a weight-for-weight basis.
Dyneema is an important component in marine and offshore ropes, in cables and nets, in safety gloves for the metalworking industry and in fine yarns for applications in sporting goods and the medical sector.
In addition, Dyneema is used in bullet resistant armor and clothing for police and military personnel.
* About DSM Engineering Plastics - DSM Engineering Plastics is a business group forming part of DSM's Performance Materials cluster.
DSM Engineering Plastics is a global supplier of Stanyl PA 46 and Akulon 6 and 66 polyamides, Arnitel TPE-E, Arnite PBT and PET polyesters, Xantar polycarbonate, Yparex extrudable adhesive resins, and Stamylan UH Ultra High Molecular Weight PE.
These materials are used in technical components for electrical appliances, electronic equipment and cars, in barrier packaging films as well as in many mechanical and extrusion applications.
The business group had annual sales of EUR 705 million in 2005.
It employs 1400 people worldwide and has eight production locations in Europe, the USA and Asia.
With Stanyl, it is the global market leader in high heat polyamides.
* About DSM - DSM is active worldwide in nutritional and pharma ingredients, performance materials and industrial chemicals.
The company creates innovative products and services that help improve the quality of life.
DSM's products are used in a wide range of end markets and applications such as human and animal nutrition and health, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, automotive and transport, coatings, housing and electrics and electronics.
DSM's strategy, named 'Vision 2010 - Building on Strengths', focuses on accelerating profitable and innovative growth of the company's specialties portfolio.
Market-driven growth, innovation and increased presence in emerging economies are key drivers of this strategy.
The group has annual sales of over EUR 8 billion and employs some 22,000 people worldwide.
DSM ranks among the global leaders in many of its fields.
The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Request free introductory details about products from DSM Somos ...
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