Huntsman Corp. has announced plans to expand its capacity to produce ethylene carbonate at its manufacturing facility in Conroe, Texas. Ethylene carbonate is used as a reactive intermediate in production of lubricants and greases, among other applications.

In a July 29 statement, Huntsman said it is undertaking the expansion because of growing demand – especially from one of its other end-use markets, environmentally friendly solvents. The Woodlands, Texas-based chemical company is already a leading supplier of ethylene carbonate and said it will increase capacity at Conroe by 30 percent to 32 million pounds per year.