AMSTERDAM — AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals has broken ground on a project to expand production capacity and upgrade its organic peroxides facility in Mahad, India. Organic peroxides are essential for the manufacture of a wide range of polymer-based products including athletic shoe soles, wind turbines and PVC pipes used in the construction industry.

The €4 million investment will increase capacity by 80%, and will provide a platform to meet growing demand from customers in India and the Middle East. In addition, a new wastewater management system will make the process more environmentally sustainable. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

"This is the latest in a series of organic peroxide investments to better serve our customers by upgrading technologies and increasing production capacity," said Johan Landfors, member of the Executive Committee responsible for Polymer Chemicals. "This expansion will allow us to build on our strong presence in numerous organic peroxide market segments, particularly in PVC, acrylics and thermoset resins."