Two invest in flame retardants in China

Clariant and Italmatch Chemicals have both announced investments in phosphorus-based flame retardants in China in the past two weeks as demand continues to grow from growth in the use of engineering plastics in the e-mobility, 5G communications, transportation, and electrical and electronic segments.

Clariant has announced that it will invest a further €40 million on a second line for Exolit OP range at its new, €40 million site in Daya Bay. The company added that, “despite the external challenges of COVID, logistical and supply chain issues”, it is still targeting its original timeline of beginning production at the first line in mid-2023, with the second due onstream within 2024.

Meanwhile, Italmatch has started construction on its second line in Nantong, southern China, for the production of its Phoslite brand of inorganic phosphinate-based flame retardants for the domestic and wider regional market. Start-up is scheduled for 2023. The company already has three facilities in China