Clariant expands its ethoxylation site in Clear Lake (Pasadena/Texas)

Muttenz, December 4, 2013 - Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, today announced the second expansion of its ethoxylation site at Clear Lake in Pasadena, Texas (USA). Following the first expansion in 2012, now already fully utilized, the investment will provide the necessary further capacity to continue profitable growth of the Business Unit Industrial & Consumer Care (ICS) in North America and Latin America.

The expansion includes new reactors and additional storage facilities, bringing the overall ethoxylation capacity to more than 125 000 metric tons from 95 thousand metric tons at present. Products manufactured include High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs), alcohol ethoxylates, sodium isethionates and ethoxylated specialties. The current expansion brings the total investment over the last five years to CHF 65 million. The new plant will go online in mid-2015.

“The investment is another important step in the implementation of our business strategy focussing on profitable growth. With the expansion, we can increase our market share in markets with good growth potential”, said Hariolf Kottmann, CEO.

Michael Willome, Head of the Business Unit ICS emphazises: “Ethoxylated products including Polyetylene Glycols are a cornerstone of our growth strategy, especially for the fast growing markets in the Americas with their greater demand for personal and home care products.”

The products from Clear Lake are mainly used in home and personal care, textile, construction and other industrial applications.