Ticona and DSM agree to expand PBT site feasibility study; Bayer opts out

FRANKFURT, Germany (Oct 11)—Frankfurt-based Ticona, the technical polymers unit of Celanese A.G., and DSM Engineering Plastics of Sittard, The Netherlands, have agreed to expand their PBT production joint venture feasibility analysis into a global study. The original arrangement called for examining a world-scale joint facility in Europe for continued polymerization of polybutylene terephthalate. While the initial JV focus remains on locating a site there, the continued gloabalization of the firms´ customer base and the pace at which the global PBT market is growing prompted the considered broadening of the plans, Ticona said. A third partner, Bayer A.G., has decided not to continue with the study. The Leverkusen, Germany-based firm originally announced plans to join the effort at the National Plastics Engineering Show in mid-June. The study is expected to be completed by the end of 2000, Ticona said, and could be followed by the joint facility´s startup in 2003, if approved.