In order to meet the growing demand for high added value nylon, Ube Industries is planning to invest in additional nylon manufacturing capacity at its subsidiary UBE Corporation Europe S.A.U. in Castellon, Spain. The expansion will add 40,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr) to make the total capacity 70,000 m.t./yr.

The plant is expected to start operation in the beginning of February 2018. The company is also building a new compounding facility in the same location, which will start operation in August 2017.

Demand for nylon is growing in the market for the replacement of polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) films for use in packaging applications such as food, toiletries, and detergent, as interest in environmentally friendly products continues to rise. To meet such growing demand, Ube last year expanded nylon 6 capacity by 10,000 m.t./yr in Castellon and established the quick-response supply system for European, North and South American customers.

The new nylon plant, which utilizes UBE proprietary technology, can manufacture various types of medium and high viscosity nylons and copolymers for technical applications such as the automotive industry, food packaging, the manufacture of industrial monofilaments, fishing nets, and engineering components.

The announced capacity expansion will further reinforce the downstream integration of UCE in Castellon. The company will aim to grow continuously by expanding product applications and by increasing high added value products. This capacity addition will create 50 new jobs in UCE, making the total number of employees 500. UCE’s work force has increased by 25% over the last five years.