Chemicals and materials manufacturer Solvay revealed plans Monday to invest in an expansion of its US capacity for sulfone polymers over the next several years in response to rising demand from the life sciences industry.

The first phase of the effort will increase capacity for Udel brand polysulfones (PSU) at the firm’s Marietta, OH location. Solvay will also boost production of dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (DCDPS), an ingredient in sulfone polymers, at its Augusta, GA facility the end of this year.

“This new multi-year program marks an important step in our strategy for future growth and affirms our number one position in the US sulfone polymers market,” said Carmelo Lo Faro, presient of Solvay’s Materials segment, in a company release. “Essentially, the expansions will address the growth potential of our sulfone products in high-performance life-saving and life-sustaining areas, such as healthcare, water purification, and pharma processing.”

In addition to life sciences applications, high-performance sulfone polymers are also used in residential and commercial heating and plumbing systems.