Wellman, the US-based manufacturer of PET resins, has said it is taking steps to expand its PET resins capacity by approximately 190 million kilograms over the next 18 months, at an estimated cost of $68 million.
The move comes following an announcement back in June that Wellman and Voridian Company, a division of Eastman Chemical Company, have signed an agreement to increase North American PET bottle resin capacity.
Under the agreement Wellman will provide amorphous resin capacity from converted fibre chip lines at its South Carolina facility while Voridian will supply solid-stating capacity from multiple North American sites. The resulting PET products will be distributed between the two companies for independent marketing efforts.
Wellman also announced plans to modify the existing PET fibre line at its Pearl River, Mississippi, facility to enable this unit to produce either solid stated PET resin or fibre. This project is expected to add 130 million kilograms per year from the first quarter 2004.
Wellman manufactures and markets Fortrel brand polyester fibres, and PermaClear and EcoClear brand PET packaging resins. It is the world's largest PET plastic recycler.