EVAL(TM) European Plant in Antwerp becomes the world's largest EVOH production site

01-Nov-2004

EVAL Europe N.V. has completed the manufacturing capacity expansion of its EVAL(TM) ethylene vinyl-alcohol (EVOH) copolymer resin plant in Antwerp. Total capacity of the site is now 24,000 tonnes per year, overtaking Kuraray's American EVAL(TM) production site to become the largest EVOH plant in the world.

Mechanical completion was completed in September, 2004. Expanded EVAL(TM) resin production began today. The additional manufacturing capacity represents an investment of approximately 80 million euro.

EVAL(TM) resins have the highest gas impermeability rate of any plastic (approximately 10,000 times that of ordinary polyethylene). The primary application for EVAL(TM) EVOH copolymer resins is food packaging, where EVAL(TM)resins provide excellent gas barrier properties and resistance to odour and flavour permeation. Another high growth market for EVAL(TM) resins is as a barrier layer in plastic automotive fuel systems. EVAL(TM) resins help to protect the environment by minimising harmful fuel vapour permeation from fuel tank, line and filler pipe, allowing fuel systems to conform to strict international emission standards. EVAL(TM) is also used to make pipes for floor heating systems, and in other residential, cosmetic, medical and appliance-related applications.

The new capacity ensures Kuraray's position as the leading manufacturer of EVOH resins and demonstrates its continued confidence about the future growth of EVOH markets world-wide. The average annual growth rate of demand for EVAL(TM) EVOH copolymer resins is expected to be 10% over the next decade. Growth is centered in Europe, North America and Japan., but new demand growth is predicted in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, Asia and Latin America where lifestyles and standards of living are changing.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/40590/eval-tm-european-plant-in-antwerp-becomes-the-world-s-largest-evoh-production-site.html