Plant Expansions: Sabic to make high heat resins in Singapore;

Riyadh-headquartered polymer/chemical firm Sabic says it is making significant investments in expanding the capacity of its Ultem and Extem high heat resin, with a new production plant in Singapore due to come on-stream in the first half of 2021. It did not outline the capacity, but said In total, it is expanding production capacity by more than 50%.

With this, Sabic says it will be the only high heat resin producer with manufacturing capability in all regions. Sabic currently makes Ultem resins in the US and in Spain.

Ultem resin is a family of amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) resins that can be extruded, thermoformed, extrusion blow moulded and injection moulded and key benefits include: long-term heat resistance up to 180°C; strength and stiffness up to 200°C; dimensional stability over a wide temperature range; strength retention and inherent flame resistance without additives.

Extem resin is able to meet even higher heat requirements than Ultem resin, with enhanced creep and strength performance at elevated temperatures. This resin has the capability to fill thin-wall, complex, miniaturized parts, IR transparency and the benefit of offering potential lead free solderable solutions.