EXTON, PA – The Hydrocarbon Specialty Chemical division of Cray Valley has obtained approval for a 40-percent capacity increase for its plant at Channelview, TX. The additional capacity is expected to be online by September 2011. The plant produces Poly bd® hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene materials.

Polybutadiene polyols typically react with isocyanates to produce high-performance urethanes that are used in adhesive and sealants, encapsulants, coatings, and other specialty applications. Polybutadiene polyols provide low-temperature flexibility, resistance to strong acids and bases, superior electrical properties, and a low moisture transmission rate.

Cray Valley’s other hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene product line, Krasol®, is manufactured in the Czech Republic.

Globally based in Exton, PA, Cray Valley USA LLC is part of Total’s Resins division, one of the largest resins manufacturers in the world with sales of EUR 1.9 billion and 3,800 employees worldwide. The Hydrocarbon Specialty Chemical division of Cray Valley provides hydrocarbon resins, Norsolene® and Wingtack® tackifying resins, along with Poly bd, Ricon®, Krasol, SMA® resins and Saret® rubber coagents. These products are used as raw materials for adhesives, rubber and other applications.