Solvay Building Polyamide Compounding Unit in Mexico

Global chemical group Solvay S.A. is constructing a compounding unit in San Luis Potosi, Mexico to support production of its Technyl polyamide line for customers in North America, the Brussels-based conglomerate announced Oct. 19. The new facility is expected to be operational by the third quarter of 2017 with an initial capacity of 10KT per year.

Solvay said it selected the location because of Mexico’s strength producer of automobiles and commercial vehicles – ranked the second largest in the Americas and seventh largest globally – and its close proximity to major consumer goods and electrical equipment manufacturers.

“The new plan will help us support our fast growing Technyl polyamide business in North America, in addition to our current capabilities,” the president of Solvay Performance Polyamides, Vincent Kamel, said in a statement. “Many of the world’s top automotive OEMs are located in our region, which makes it an ideal base for us to serve both local and U.S. markets and contribute with our solutions to cleaner mobility.”

The Belgian chemical group is partnering with one of its Mexican customers, Chunil Engineering, to reduce investment costs and time to market.

“Our collaboration with Chunil Engineering – a global automotive tier 1 – enables us to optimize the site’s infrastructure including the use of power, water, and waste treatment,” said Peter Browning, general manager of Solvay’s Engineering Plastics business. “As our business develops we will expand this modular 10KT unit’s capacity to meet the rapidly growing needs of our customers in the region.”

Solvay said it plans on making further investments “to serve the NAFTA2 market.”

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