On May 4 2017, Arkema announced that it has just successfully brought on stream new Kynar (R) PVDF capacities on its Changshu platform near Shanghai. With this 25% increase in its production capacities in China, Arkema, which runs PVDF production plants on 3 continents (Europe, North America and Asia), has consolidated its world leading position in PVDF.
   This new investment in Kynar (R) fluoropolymerssupportsArkema’s ambition in Technical Polymers and its growth strategy for theHigh Performance Materials segment. It will enable the Group to continue sustaining its customers’ growth in Asia, in particular in the new energies (batteries and photovoltaics) and water management markets, as well as in more traditional applicationslikeconstruction coatingsand the chemical process industry.
   Arkema’s PVDF plant in Changshu has undergone a significant expansionsince its start-up in 2011. Following a 50% capacity increase in 2012 and this new 25% increase, the plant is sized to meet further growth in the region. Moreover it has shown a remarkable operating performance in terms of both reliability and quality for several years.