KALAMA, Wash. (Jan. 24, 2012)—U.S.-based materials firm Emerald Performance Materials L.L.C. is adding plasticizer production in the Netherlands for its Emerald Kalama Chemical unit.
Production of K-Flex-brand nonphthalate plasticizers is set to begin in the third quarter of the year at a plant in Rotterdam that was acquired in late 2010 by Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio-based Emerald.
The Emerald Kalama unit makes benzoate and related chemical additives at the site, which was purchased from specialty chemicals maker DSM NV.
Emerald Kalama also makes K-Flex plasticizers at a plant in Kalama, Wash. The materials are used in vinyl flooring, coatings, adhesives, sealants and similar products.
Emerald officials said the expansion has allowed the firm to add staff in commercial and R&D positions.