Huntsman Expanding Ethylene Carbonate Capacity at Texas Site

Differentiated and specialty chemical manufacturer Huntsman Corp. intends to expand production of ULTRAPURE Ethylene Carbonate at its Conroe, TX production facility in response to a growing market for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) and electronics, a recent company release announced.

“This capacity expansion will leverage our position as the only US producer of cyclic carbonates and support the rapid growth of the US and European lithium-ion battery markets for EVs,” Chuck Hirsch, senior vice president of Huntsman’s Performance Products division, said in a statement. “We are committed to providing excellent service to our customers and are well positioned to grow with this sustainable industry, helping to reduce emissions in the transportation sector.”

As demand for ULTRAPURE Ethylene Carbonate has grown over the last few years, Huntsman introduced new high-purity grades of the product for EV applications.

Work on the expansion is slated to reach completion in 2023.

In December 2020, Powder & Bulk Solids reported that Huntsman entered into a deal to purchase North American specialty additives and epoxy curing agents manufacturer Gabriel Performance Products. The company said the $250 million deal will expand its portfolio and increase its competitiveness.