Solutia, Celanese ink ethyl acetate distribution agreement for Americas

16-Dec-08

Solutia Inc., an American performance materials and specialty chemicals company has appointed Celanese Corp. as its new marketing partner for the company's ethyl acetate product for the Americas. As of January 1, 2009, the agreement allows Celanese to distribute ethyl acetate from Solutia's sites in Springfield, Mass., and Trenton, Mich., in order to supplement its own production and sales in the Americas region. The combined ethyl acetate capacity from Solutia's two production sites is approximately 22,000 mtpa. Solutia's current marketing partner, BP Amoco Chemical Company will terminate its current supply contracts and agreements after December 31, 2008. Ethyl acetate is used as a solvent in oil-based lacquers and enamels (especially in polyurethane finishes) and in inks and adhesives. The main uses of ethyl acetate are in the manufacture of nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate lacquers and as a solvent component in adhesives and in spread-coating compounds for artificial leather. It is also used as a solvent in many chemical processes.