US-based Ascend Performance Materials will increase production capacity across its intermediate chemicals and polymers portfolio by 10 per cent to 15 per cent. Ascend, is the world’s largest fully integrated producer of nylon 6,6 resin. Global demand for nylon 6,6 and its intermediate chemicals continues to grow at three per cent to four per cent per year in a range of diverse applications. Ascend has cost effective expansion opportunities that allow it to bring additional capacity online as the market needs it.
Ascend will increase capacity of adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine, adipic acid and polymers through 2018. Ascend’s unique production process allows for quick capacity additions with high capital efficiency and without disruption to operations.
The group has consistently added capacity through its entire nylon 6,6 value chain since 2015. Unlike many other nylon 6,6 producers, Ascend sells polymers and intermediates into nearly every end use market and geography. It has a 60-year history of serving a wide variety of markets and that has given it an unparalleled understanding of the entire nylon 6,6 value chain.
Earlier this year, the company consolidated nylon fiber production and added compounding capacity to better align its business with the market. The unique qualities of nylon 6,6 have made it the material of choice in numerous innovative applications.
