Ashland expands global HEC production

Ashland is responding to strong demand for Natrosol hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) by expanding its production across its global network through capacity additions at its facilities in Nanjing, China, and Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands.

The company is adding 7,000 metric tons of new capacity. In addition, Ashland is increasing production of its Natrosol Plus hydrophobically modified HEC product line at its Parlin, New Jersey, plant. 

Natrosol HEC is a cellulosic polymer used as an additive in a wide variety of water-based consumer and industrial products including latex paints, paper coatings and personal care items such as shampoos and shower gels. Ashland has four dedicated HEC manufacturing facilities located in the US, the Netherlands and China.

‘Ashland is committed to having sufficient manufacturing capacity available to serve our customers,’ said John Panichella, president, Ashland Specialty Ingredients. ‘I am extremely pleased with the success of the Nanjing facility and particularly proud that we anticipated the needs of the market by building a world-class hydroxyethylcellulose plant in Asia to support our customers. We had a very successful phase one start-up of this facility. Now, to help our customers capitalize on future growth opportunities, we are moving forward with phase two of the project to add additional capacity.’

‘This expansion also reinforces our commitment to offer locally produced, products backed with superior technical support,’ said Dale MacDonald, vice president, coating additives, Ashland Specialty Ingredients. ‘Over the next few years, Ashland expects steady growth in the field of cellulose ethers driven by the need for materials that have reduced impact to the environment and are from renewable resources. As the world’s leading producer of cellulose ethers, with many of our products derived from renewable and natural raw materials, Ashland is well positioned to meet this increasing market demand.’

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