Sasol-Huntsman will increase its maleic anhydride production capacity in Germany by 75 percent, to 105,000 metric tons per year, by early 2011.
Sasol-Huntsman, based in Moers, Germany, is a fifty-fifty joint venture between affiliates of Huntsman Corp. and Sasol Ltd. The jv will construct a second 45-kiloton reactor and purification section on the site of its existing plant. The new plants design is similar to Huntsmans 45,000 ton/year plant under construction in Geismar, La., which is expected to begin operations later this year.
Maleic anhydride is the building block for unsaturated polyester resins, but is also used in formulating lubricant additives and in other applications.
The robust demand for maleic anhydride makes it incumbent upon us to lead the way in meeting our global customers long term requirements, Sasol-Huntsman Managing Director Rolf Giessel said yesterday. Furthermore, this investment will help to maintain our leading position in Europe.