AkzoNobel Studies Plans to Build EHEC plant

AkzoNobel’s Specialty Chemicals business is studying plans to build a world-class plant for its Bermocoll business, which supplies essential ingredients for the paint and buildings and construction industries.

The study – expected to be completed by the end of 2017 – is focused on creating a new facility to increase production capacity for EHEC cellulosic ethers to help meet growing global demand.

The company reported that a number of locations are being considered for the new EHEC plant, including options to expand operations at the company’s existing production sites.

“Demand for Bermocoll is growing strongly due to the rising consumption of water-based paint and continued growth in the building and construction industry,” explained Geert Hofman, general manager at AkzoNobel’s Bermocoll business. “Building a new facility will enable us to support that market growth, giving our customers improved long-term supply security.”

Commenting on the plans, Werner Fuhrmann, member of AkzoNobel’s Executive Committee responsible for Specialty Chemicals, said: “Bermocoll delivers excellent performance and provides important sustainability benefits for our customers as they are based on renewable raw materials.” He also added that the expansion plans highlight the company’s strategy of growing with its customers.

The Bermocoll range of products has been produced for more than 50 years and is today sold in more than 80 countries. According to the company, they are water soluble and virtually odorless and deliver a number of benefits for water-based coatings, including improved viscosity, spatter and sag resistance, as well as better color stability and hiding power. Within the building and construction industry Bermocoll is also used also an ingredient in dry-mix mortars, helping to improve adhesion, flexibility, water retention and workability.

AkzoNobel is one of the leading global cellulosics producers, with production plants in China, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden.