On March 26 INVISTA broke ground for hexamethylene diamine (HMD) and nylon 6,6 polymer plants at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP) in China. These facilities are a part of INVISTA’s plans for integrated nylon 6,6 facilities in the China and underscore the company’s commitment to the region. The overall investment will exceed US$1 billion, which will be the largest capital investment undertaken by INVISTA to date.

Jeff Gentry, INVISTA’s chairman and chief executive officer, on the occasion said, “China is one of the most important regions for our growth strategy. We have seen significant growth in the region in recent years, and we plan to continue to bring our latest innovative technologies here”.

The facilities to produce 215,000-ton of HMD and the 150,000-ton polymerisation plant are expected to start up in 2015. INVISTA has already received several government permits; most recently, the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau granted Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval for the polymer facility.

In addition to the HMD and polymer plants, INVISTA has plans for a future, 300,000-ton adiponitrile (ADN) facility. Once completed, INVISTA’s new facilities will be among the most energy-efficient nylon intermediates sites in the world and will employ INVISTA’s most advanced technologies for ADN, HMD and polymer production.

Warren Primeaux, president of INVISTA Intermediates, said, “We believe that China is driving global nylon demand growth, and the use of nylon 6,6 intermediates and polymer in the region will be increasing. The new facilities will enable INVISTA to provide customers with better service, shorter lead time and a local resource for production. We are excited to continue supporting the increasing regional demand for durable goods—products that can be enhanced by the use of nylon 6,6.”

HMD, ADN and nylon 6,6 polymer are materials used in the production of nylon 6,6 fibers and polymers that ultimately become part of automobile parts, air bags, carpet, workout apparel, outdoor equipment and more.