Arkema Announces Expansion of Fluoropolymer (Kynar® PVDF) Production Capacities in Calvert City in the USA

Regulatory News:

Arkema (Paris:AKE) will increase fluoropolymer (Kynar^® PVDF) capacity at its Calvert City plant in the United States by some 20%. The expansion is fueled by strong demand in the new energies and water management markets as well as in more traditional applications (chemical process industry and high performance cables). In line with the strategy presented at its recent Capital Markets Day, this investment, scheduled to start mid-2018, further supports Arkema’s ambition to accelerate the development of its advanced materials, one of the key pillars of its future growth.

Through this investment, Arkema, which operates fluoropolymer production facilities on the three major continents - Europe, North America and Asia -, further consolidates its world-leading position in PVDF marketed under the Kynar^® brand.

Having successfully completed a similar expansion at its Changshu, China plant earlier this year, Arkema now invests in the United States. This new capacity will enable the Group to support its customers’ growth in America, particularly in emerging applications such as water filtration and in traditional markets such as the chemical process industry and high performance cables (automobile, fiber optics, oil industry).

"Over the last five decades, the Calvert City plant has proven itself to be outstanding in efficiency, quality and innovation. This latest investment, which will also make the Kynar^® PVDF global supply chain even more flexible, will enable us to support the fast growth of our customers, in particular in the United States, with ever more innovative products suited to their evolving needs” stated Erwoan Pezron, Global Group President for Arkema’s Technical Polymers.

A designer of materials and innovative solutions, Arkema shapes materials and creates new uses that accelerate customer performance. Our balanced business portfolio spans high-performance materials, industrial specialties and coating solutions. Our globally recognized brands are ranked among the leaders in the markets we serve. Reporting annual sales of €7.5 billion in 2016, we employ approximately 20,000 people worldwide and operate in close to 50 countries. We are committed to active engagement with all our stakeholders. Our research centers in North America, France and Asia concentrate on advances in bio-based products, new energies, water management, electronic solutions, lightweight materials and design, home efficiency and insulation. www.arkema.com

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