ORANGE, Texas—Increased packaging demand is leading materials giant DuPont Co. to spend more than $100 million to increase capacity for ethylene copolymers at its plant in Orange.
More than one third of the investment will be installed by the end of 2015, officials with Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont said in a Sept. 16 news release. The remainder will be completed by the end of 2018.
DuPont products included in the expansion are Elvaloy-brand ethylene copolymers, Surlyn-brand ionomers, Nucrel-brand ethylene acid copolymers, Vamac-brand ethylene acrylic elastomers and special grades of Elvax-brand EVA copolymers.
“Market demand for these products is growing,” said William Harvey, president of packaging and industrial polymers, in the release. DuPont's high-value products “are being used in a diverse range of growth markets,” he added.
“This includes packaging that helps reduce food waste and offers consumer convenience,” Harvey said.
DuPont's Orange plant—known as the Sabine River Works—employs 900 and has been in operation since 1946.