MALMÖ, Sweden — Specialty chemicals company Perstorp announced plans to add extra capacity of around 70,000 tonnes/yr. for production of carboxylic acids. The added capacity will come on stream during 2024. Increased capacity will meet growing demand in various high-value applications, including non-phthalate plasticizers for PVC, engineered fluids for applications such as refrigeration lubricants, and various propionates used in food preservation and carboxylic acids for use in animal feed gut health and preservation products. Most of the output will be used in downstream production operated by Perstorp itself. 

Perstorp will build a new plant on the site of its existing carboxylic acid production operation in Stenungsund, Sweden. Like the original unit, it will be capable of producing acids from C3 to C9 chemistry, significantly strengthening the company’s portfolio. Both plants will be fully integrated into Perstorp’s Oxo production platform.

Perstorp reports that the decision to go ahead with the capacity expansion comes during a period of high growth for the company, despite disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The expansion fits with our strategy for growth and an increased emphasis on specialty products, and will reinforce our pioneering position in sustainable solutions for our key focus segments,” said Betty Lu, Vice President for Oxo chemicals at Perstorp.

“I am glad that our acid capacity expansion is now back on track, after a temporary delay due to COVID. This capacity investment will remove our last bottleneck and enable us to grow our unique non-phthalate plasticizer Pevalen™ and Pevalen™ Pro unconstrained in the coming years.”

Learn more about Perstorp at www.perstorp.com.