Oxea has expanded the nameplate capacity of its carboxylic acid units in Oberhausen, Germany, by 10 percent. The additional capacity will go on stream within the next few weeks.
The company also announced it is building another carboxylic acid plant in Oberhausen, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2013. By then Oxea will operate five such production plants globally. The company does not disclose total capacity.
Carboxylic acids are used for manufacturing energy-efficient lubricant esters for refrigeration units such as air conditioners and refrigerators, or specialty plasticizers, among other uses.
The increased capacity not only improves our flexibility and capability to support our customers in their growth, it also strengthens our position as the leading global manufacturer of carboxylic acids and the one with the broadest portfolio of these products, said Miguel Mantas, member of Oxeas executive board and responsible for marketing and sales.
In August 2012, the company said it increased production at its carboxylic acid plant in Marl, Germany, by 20 percent.
In late 2010, the company completed the first phase of the three-stage capacity increase at its carboxylic acid production units in Oberhausen, adding five percent to its global capacity.