Nouryon (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals) has selected a location in the U.S. for a world-scale polymerization plant for its Expancel expandable microspheres. The project will significantly strengthen the company’s leadership position in expandable microspheres, which are used to make customers’ end products lighter and reduce costs.

The project is scheduled for completion in late 2020, subject to final board approval. The company says that advanced engineering is under way and long delivery item procurement has started.

“This investment is an important step to meet the fast-growing demand for this product,” said Sylvia Winkel Pettersson, director, Expancel at Nouryon. “The planned facility will enable us to better serve our customers in the U.S. and globally.”

Expancel microspheres are used as a lightweight filler and a blowing agent to make end products lighter, obtain different surface effects and reduce costs by requiring less raw material. “It is a versatile product used in a multitude of applications and markets,” Winkel Pettersson said. “It offers benefits such as lower density and better insulation – some of the key applications include automotive and construction.”

Nouryon is a leading producer of expandable microspheres worldwide. The planned U.S. investment follows a recently completed capacity increase at Sundsvall, Sweden, scheduled to be fully on-line in the second quarter.

“These projects reflect Nouryon’s commitment to be a trusted partner for our customers, who rely on us to support the growth of their business,” said Niek Stapel, managing director, Pulp and Performance Chemicals. “We will take our growth ambitions to the next level by making strategic investments with attractive returns tailored to the needs of our customers.”