Company News

Asian PVDF facility and organic electronic polymers for Arkema
French company Arkema will open its first Asian polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) plant in China next year. It will be located in its manufacturing complex in Changshu, Jiangsu province. Arkema has also acquired electroactive fluorinated polymer maker Piezotech, thereby enhancing its portfolio

The new PVDF plant is said to be part of an effort to strengthen distribution of its Kynar PVDF resins in Asia, especially for the high-performance coatings market. The company says its Kynar resins are used in a wide variety of applications, including high-performance lithium ion batteries and photovoltaic panels.

With its acquisition of French company Piezotech, Arkema expects to broaden its range of ultra high performance materials. These speciality polymers will soon have high added value applications in many sectors, including robotics, aerospace, textile, automotive and electronics.

Piezotech was established following a technology transfer from Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis. It designs and markets films and sensors from electroactive fluorinated polymers and co-polymers, all manufactured using a unique process. These polymers have the ability to undergo deformation under an electric current, and conversely they convert a mechanical force into electrical energy. Another of their characteristics is their ability to store and restore energy.