SABIC IP to add new production lines of Lexan* polycarbonate in China

Sabic Innovative Plastics strategic business unit is to add new production lines of the company's world-renowned Lexan* polycarbonate (PC) resins and films in Shanghai and Nansha, China. These additions are part of the company's strategy to support the dynamic growth of key plastics sectors in this region, particularly the consumer electronics, electrical, solar, security and automotive industries. Building on over 80 years of advanced technology breakthroughs, Innovative Plastics continues to be a leader in the plastics industry with its flagship PC material. It is continually developing distinctive new Lexan material solutions to meet evolving technological, environmental, performance and regulatory challenges. "Our nearly 60-year-old commitment to polycarbonate remains unmatched - from a relentless focus on innovation, to continued investments in global capacity, to a team of polycarbonate experts including a highly trained sales force, application development specialists, and process development engineers around the globe," said William Russell, polycarbonate business leader, Innovative Plastics. "The size and diversity of our performance-rich Lexan polycarbonate material portfolio is an excellent case in point, illustrating how we deliver tailored materials solutions to meet our customers' specific needs. These expansions will enable Innovative Plastics to provide a stronger, localized supply of Lexan resin and film to meet Asia's accelerating demand of these tough, high-performance and versatile material technologies." Innovative Plastics is adding dedicated compounding production lines of its iconic Lexan PC resin at its Shanghai facility in early 2012. This capacity increase will ensure ample, reliable supplies of Lexan resins and Lexan specialty copolymers to help drive Asian customer growth. This addition comes on the heels of a similar Lexan compounding expansion in Nansha in late 2010. Innovative Plastics is also adding a new, state-of-the-art extrusion line of Lexan PC optical quality (OQ) and textured film products to its Nansha facility, with subsequent capacity additions in Asia planned for 2012-2014. This new specialty film line, which opened in the first quarter of 2011, uses class 1,000 clean room technology to produce Lexan OQ optical performance film. The new production line makes custom textured materials and surface polished Lexan OQ films that can be embossed or selectively textured by screen printing for aesthetic purposes and a mar-resistant finish.