News

DuPont, which supplies materials to the packaging sector, is to invest $150m (£75.9m) to expand and upgrade manufacturing facilities in Europe, the US and Asia.

The investment will include extra capacity at Dordrecht, in the Netherlands, to expand the global operations network for its Fusabond modifiers and Bynel adhesive resins. The new capacity is expected to be online in 2009.

It will also includes enhanced capabilities for its Surlyn ionomer resin, Vamac ethylene acrylic elastomers, and upgrades to improve energy efficiency at its Sabine operation in Orange, Tex. These enhancements will be operational in 2008 and 2009.

DuPont will also invest in production efficiency at its Victoria, Tex facility for Elvax ethlyene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) products. These will be operational in 2008 and 2009.

William F. Weber, global director of DuPont Ethylene Copolymers, said: "This investment will result in over 200 million pounds of additional capacity, enhanced capability of our current facilities, and reduced energy consumption of our operations.

"Importantly, it will accelerate DuPont's ability to respond to rapidly growing demand as we serve our customers worldwide."

DuPont will construct an EVA facility near Beijing, China, with its joint venture partner, Sinopec. It will begin operations in 2009.