Materials News

Better insulation from Total's EPS

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Following the acquisition, in August 2010, of two PS lines with a combined capacity of 160,000 tonnes/year for the Total site at Feluy (Belgium), it was decided to modify one of the two lines so as to manufacture the new EPS. This investment, and the subsequent launch of the new EPS range, will ensure the long-term continuation of styrenics production at the Feluy site.

The second line will be used to manufacture all grades of PS - high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS). Four other Total sites in Europe also produce PS: in France, Spain and the UK.

With these two new lines, Total is consolidating its position in styrenic polymers for the insulation market and the Feluy site is strengthening its position as the leading polymer production site in Europe.

Total produces an overall capacity of more than 1.2 million tonnes/year in Feluy. The plant, which has three PP lines with a combined capacity of 930,000 tonnes/year, is the largest polymer production site in Europe. Feluy also has units producing HDPE (170,000 tonnes/year), GPPS (80,000 tonnes/year) and HIPPS (80,000 tonnes/year).