Solvay Specialty Polymers launches PEEK expansion in Augusta

06-May-15

Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC this week launched an expansion at its Augusta manufacturing facility to install the first world-scale polyether-etherketone (PEEK) resin production unit in the United States and meet growing demand for Solvay’s KetaSpire® and AvaSpire® ultra-polymers. PEEK is a high-temperature, high-strength, and high-purity plastic resin that Solvay uses as a key building block to make its KetaSpire® PEEK and AvaSpire® PAEK products. These two ultra-polymers are used in a broad range of performance-critical applications such as helping to make airplanes lighter and safer, improving the fuel efficiency of automotive drive trains, and enabling innovations in medical devices. Roger Kearns, a member of the Solvay Group’s worldwide executive committee, voiced optimism about the company’s expansion in Augusta. “Solvay Specialty Polymers is one of the Group’s growth engines,” he said. “Expansion of our KetaSpire® and AvaSpire® production capabilities plays an important role in Solvay’s continued worldwide leadership in producing innovative high-performance materials that provide sustainable solutions.” Kearns added, “This Augusta expansion is testimony to our researchers, to our plant workers and to the Georgia business environment which welcomes and encourages manufacturing and innovation.” Solvay’s Augusta Plant Manager Alain De Greef echoed Kearns remarks. “Augusta’s workforce is proud of our record of safety, productivity and reliability of supply and we look forward to growing our service to customers and our contributions to Solvay,” he said.