Nouryon doubles capacity for dicumyl peroxide in China

Amsterdam – Nouryon, , formerly AkzoNobel speciality chemical, has doubled production capacity for dicumyl peroxide (DCP) at its site in Ningbo, China after completing "a major expansion project", the company announced 16 July.

Claimed to be “the largest of its kind”, the plant can now produce up to 38 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) of DCP, an organic peroxide used in the manufacture of highly durable polymers.

The material is mainly used as cross-linking agent for polymers and elastomers, which are used to produce hose, wires, tires, and rubber seals.

“There is an increasing demand for polymers that require DCP, for example high voltage cable insulation for upgrading electricity networks,” said Johan Landfors, managing director polymer chemistry at Nouryon.

The expansion, he said, will improve Nouryon’s position in the Chinese market and elsewhere.

The Ningbo expansion is the latest in a series of investments by Nouryon to improve its position in the polymer market.

The company recently expanded production capacity at Ningbo for dialkyl peroxide, an organic peroxide used in the manufacture of flexible products ranging from sporting goods to industrial cables.