- Investment announced in spring 2011 raises Carling facility's superabsorbent capacity to 47,000 tons/year.
- Construction incorporates Sumitomo Seika's latest technological advances in superabsorbents.
- Production began in summer and the plant is now fully operational.
- Superabsorbents are made from acrylic acid for markets like diapers and sanitary products.
Inauguration and Investment
Yusuke Ueda, Sumitomo Seika CEO, and Marc Schuller, Arkema Executive Vice President, inaugurated the new Sumitomo Seika superabsorbent plant at the Carling site in Moselle, France. This significant investment, announced in spring 2011, was made in partnership with Arkema to meet the growing demand for superabsorbents in Europe. The investment increases the Carling facility's superabsorbent production capacity to 47,000 tons per year.
Technological Advances
The new plant incorporates the latest technological advances from Sumitomo Seika in the field of superabsorbents. Production began in the summer, and the plant is now fully operational. This development further strengthens Arkema’s position at the Carling site, which is now one of the world's leading production facilities for acrylic monomers.
Superabsorbent Applications
Superabsorbents, or SAPs, are manufactured from acrylic acid and are primarily used in high-growth market segments such as baby diapers, adult incontinence products, and female sanitary items. Since 2008, when Sumitomo Seika took over Arkema’s superabsorbent business, the company has been marketing a wide range of superabsorbents from the Carling site under the tradename AQUAKEEPTM.
