Royal DSM, the global life sciences and materials sciences company, announces that its new polymerization plant will be built in Augusta, Ga.The investment was accounted earlier this year and now a location has been confirmed.
The plant, which will become part of DSM’s Engineering Plastics business group, will manufacture high viscous Akulon polyamide 6 polymer for film grades used in flexible food packaging and other segments.
The new plant will be built next to DSM Engineering Plastics’ existing facility in Augusta, Ga., that currently manufactures medium viscous grades of Akulon and Novamid polyamide 6 polymers for a wide variety of components used in the electrical and electronics, automotive and consumer-goods industries.
The decision to locate the plant in Augusta is demonstration of the close working relationship between DSM and the State of Georgia.
“DSM Engineering Plastics’ decision to locate its newest plant in Georgia speaks to our position as a global leader in the advanced manufacturing industry,” says Chris Carr, commissioner at Georgia Department of Economic Development. “With access to leading R&D resources, highly skilled talent, and an exceptional logistics system, this forward-looking company will continue to flourish here.”
Richard Pieters, president DSM Engineering Plastics Americas, states, “The Augusta location will offer all logistic modalities to our customers in the Americas and leverage the scale of our existing polymer operations. We are grateful for the support from the Georgia authorities.”
Henry Ingram, chairman of the Augusta Economic Development Authority, adds: “DSM has been a major force in Augusta for many years, and today’s announcement reinforces their continued commitment to our community. It was an honor to have worked with DSM on this project, dating back several years when we met with DSM in Heerlen, Netherlands. DSM is one of the shining stars of the Augusta manufacturing community, and we are thrilled that the new polymerization facility will be built here.”
The new plant will be DSM’s first polymerization plant for high viscosity grades in North America for Akulon polyamide 6 and is an extension of DSM’s strong commitment to both their global and North American customers. In addition to Akulon and Novamid 6 and 6,66 polyamides, DSM serves customers with a range of specialty high performance engineering plastics including Arnitel TPC copolyester, Arnite PBT and PET polyesters, Stanyl high-performance polyamide 46 and 4T, and our bio-based engineering plastics EcoPaXX polyamide 410 and Arnitel Eco copolyester.
Construction of the plant is scheduled to start in Q1 2015 with completion targeted for mid-2016.
DSM Engineering Plastics
