MILAN—Solvay S.A. is set to increase its fluoroelastomer production globally to support growing demand for the material in sealing applications.
Production of specific FKM peroxide curable and bisphenolic terpolymer grades in being increased at its sites in Changshu, China and Spinetta Marengo, Italy, the firm said in a statement.
The combined production capacity, at current product mix, will be expanded by 30 percent by fourth quarter of 2019, according to Solvay.
It said the move was in response to increasing demand for its FKM products—fluoroelastomer materials have been in tight supply globally for most of 2018.
Applications in hybrid and low-emission internal combustion engines and in the semiconductor industry are driving up FKM demand, noted Solvay.
Mike Finelli, president of Solvay's Specialty Polymers global business unit, said the expansions will create a unique footprint that will allow Solvay to strategically manage and interchange manufacturing.
Solvay said its Tecnoflon fluoroelastomers and perfluoroelastomers are widely used for their resistance to heat and chemicals, particularly in automotive, aerospace and chemical processing applications.