Eastman Chemical, a global manufacturer and supplier of chemicals, fibers and plastics, has expanded its Benzoflex plasticizer production line at the Estonia location for the second time. This will enhance the Benzoflex production capacity by 11,000 t.
Eastman Chemical has also planned to expand its Admex polymeric plasticizers and Benzoflex plasticizers lines located at Kingsport, Tennessee and Chestertown, Maryland. The expansions will increase the overall production capacity in North America by about 9,000 t. All these expansions are anticipated to be completed by the second quarter of 2012.
Benzoflex is a benzoic acid derivative that is used in caulks, sealants, adhesives and coatings. The material is also utilized to offer flexibility to PVC in various applications such as vinyl flooring. Admex plasticizers are used for enabling flexible vinyl compounds in several applications, including hoses, gaskets, conveyor belts and PVC-based adhesive tapes. Admex and Benzoflex are non-phthalate plasticizers that are ideal for manufacturers who look for sustainable substitutes to traditional phthalate plasticizers.
Heidi Barnes, Director of Oxo and Plasticizers business, stated that the expansion initiatives represent the growing demand for alternative solutions to traditional phthalate products. The establishment of the additional capacity will support Eastman Chemical’s Performance Chemicals and Intermediates division to meet the rising demand for non-phthalate plasticizers from customers.