Arkema to increase elastomer production by 25%

Paris – Arkema SA is increasing its global production capacity for thermoplastic elastomers by 25% to meet growing demand for the materials.

The French chemicals supplier will expand its facility Serquigny in France, to increase notably production capacity for bio-circular Pebax Rnew and traditional Pebax ranges.

Scheduled for completion in 2023, the new capacity will produce a variety of “highly specialised grades” to meet growing demand in applications that require light weight, flexibility and ‘excellent return of energy’, said Arkema 17 Jan. 

No further details on the financial cost of the project or production capacity were given.

Pebax elastomers are block copolymers made up of rigid polyamide blocks and soft polyether blocks.

The series has a flexibility range that spans from very hard and rigid to very soft and flexible, without the need for plasticisers.

According to Arkema, the polymers maintain a combination of the toughness traditionally associated with polyamides and the flexibility/elasticity more often seen with polyethers/polyesters.

The materials’ properties are particularly appreciated in sports equipment, such as soles for running shoes, ski boots or technical textile.

They are also suitable for use in consumer goods such as smartphones and flexible screens, as well as in other markets such as medical equipment.

Derived from renewable castor seeds, Pebax Rnew is a 'partially bio-based' circular material that is claimed to offer a sustainable solution, with a 50% lower carbon footprint compared to other elastomers on the market. 

The material is also fully recyclable, according to Arkema

In addition to expanding capacity, the investment will also see Arkema optimising the water consumption of the plant by 25%, contributing further to the sustainability efforts of the French company. 

“We are very excited to commit to an expansion in our Pebax elastomers capacity” said Erwoan Pezron, SVO Arkema’s high performance polymers business line. 

In addition to Serquigny, Arkema also manufactures the Pebax materials at its production facility in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania.