Plant Expansions: Mitsubishi Chemical to up EVOH resin capacity in US;

Japan’s Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation is to increase the production capacity of SoarnoL ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) resin by 3000 tonnes/year to 41 000 tonnes/year at its consolidated subsidiary Noltex LLC’s facility located in La Porte, Texas, in the US. The production increase is slated to take effect in the summer of 2020.

EVOH is high gas-barrier resin used to produce packaging materials that help prolong the flavour and quality of foods, resulting in a reduced food waste. Global demand for EVOH resin has been expanding, backed by growth in emerging markets, as well as increasing use of individual packaging because of lifestyle changes in recent years and rising calls to limit the use of preservatives and food additives. Due to these factors, Mitsubishi Chemical is anticipating solid growth in demand for EVOH resin in the coming years.

Mitsubishi Chemical says it holds a significant share in EVOH market with focus on packaging globally, as well as has three SoarnoL EVOH resin production sites in Okayama, Japan, Texas, the US, and Yorkshire and the Humber, the UK.

The company adds that it will meet soaring demand for food packaging materials by increasing its annual production capacity and establishing a structure capable of further expanding the business. It will not only increase production capacity to capitalise on rising demand, but also speed up development of the business by continually offering food packaging-related solutions and making full use of the Mitsubishi Chemical’s collective strength.