New Projects and Expansions news (page 131)

The new STPP granule plant in Vlissingen, costing €14 million, was completed in January. It will be officially opened by the Queen's Commissioner in Zeeland and will produce specialty detergent components.

Investing EUR 12M, the expansion will double production capacity, making the Cernobbio plant the largest for thermosetting powder coatings, enhancing supply to Eastern Europe and key markets.

The new plant in Lyon will start in February 2003, using advanced technologies and existing facilities. It will serve European, US, and Asian markets, focusing on automotive and industrial applications.

The plant, licensed by BASF, produces 22,000 metric tons of Phthalic anhydride and 700 metric tons of Maleic anhydride annually, selling mainly to Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Greece, and Ukraine.