Nouryon and INEOS Nitriles Open New Unit to Produce Readily Biodegradable Chelates
Nouryon and INEOS Nitriles have broken ground on new facilities to be built at INEOS’ Köln site in Germany. The units will produce raw materials for Nouryon’s high-quality, readily biodegradable chelates, used in detergents and other industries. The plants are due to be completed in 2021-2022.
Demand for chelates has increased strongly following the European ban on phosphates in consumer automatic dishwasher detergents. Chelates are more sustainable than the phosphates they replace.
INEOS will operate and maintain the new facilities as well as provide key raw materials.
“This long-term agreement with INEOS will support the growth of customer demand for readily biodegradable chelates in home and personal care applications such as detergents, which are a key strategic market for us,” said Larry Ryan, Executive Vice President and President of Performance Formulations and the Americas at Nouryon.
INEOS Nitriles is the world’s largest producer of acrylonitrile, a vital raw material for products used in the automotive, home appliance, garment, carbon fiber and water purification sectors. The agreement is similar to an existing partnership between INEOS and Nouryon at their adjacent facilities in Lima, Ohio, United States.
“Our relationship with Nouryon over the past years has proven to be mutually beneficial. We look forward to building on that success, and we are proud that the products developed through this expansion in our partnership will lead to a more sustainable industry,” says Hans Casier, CEO of INEOS Nitriles.
The startup of the new facilities will strengthen Nouryon’s global footprint in the supply of readily biodegradable chelates to Asia, Europe and North America. It follows completion of production facilities at Ningbo, China in 2016 and is the next step to expand Nouryon’s capabilities to meet the needs of its customers in the European market.
“This capacity expansion underlines the company’s strategy of investing in attractive growth markets and its commitment to sustainable growth platforms,” said Nouryon CEO Charlie Shaver. “It will enable us to better support the future growth plans of our customers. They will benefit from our continued efforts to improve global supply chain performance and optimization, and the ability to produce more sustainable products.”
About Nouryon
Nouryon is a global specialty chemicals leader. Markets worldwide rely on its essential chemistry in the manufacture of everyday products such as paper, plastics, building materials, food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care items. The company operates in over 80 countries around the world and its portfolio of industry-leading brands includes Eka, Dissolvine, Trigonox, and Berol.
About INEOS
INEOS is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products employing 22,000 people. It has 34 businesses, with a production network spanning 183 manufacturing facilities in 26 countries. From paints to plastics, textiles to technology, medicines to mobile phones – chemicals manufactured by INEOS enhance almost every aspect of modern life. INEOS had sales in 2018 of around $60bn and EBITDA close to €6bn. Its products make a significant contribution to saving life, improving health and enhancing standards of living for people around the world. Most recently the company has announced it is to manufacture a new 4×4 vehicle to be called the INEOS Grenadier. It has also bought Team INEOS winners of the Tour de France, INEOS Team UK the UK Challenger to the Americas Cup.
About INEOS Nitriles
INEOS Nitriles is a part of INEOS Group Holdings S.A. It is the world’s largest producer of Acrylonitrile and Acetonitrile and the world’s leading supplier of nitrile-based chemicals. The company maintains its leadership position through its technological know-how, market access and manufacturing capability. INEOS technology is used by over 90% of the world’s Acrylonitrile production units. The business currently has sales of around $2.5 billion per annum and employs 900 people across its manufacturing facilities in Köln (Germany), Seal Sands (UK), Green Lake (Texas, USA) and Lima (Ohio, USA). It has a total capacity to produce around 1.7 million tonnes, of product each year.