Solvay Specialty Polymers, the high-performance plastics subsidiary of Belgian chemical producer Solvay, has brought on stream a new €21 million production facility for its "KetaSpire" and "Ava"Spire polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyarylethylene (PAEK) compounds at Changshu in China's Jiangsu province. The expanded availability of the two high-temperature products also benefits its "Torlon" polyamide-imide resin, the Alpharetta, Georgia-based company said.

The start-up of the new facility represents a major commitment to the local production and supply of these ultra polymers for the Chinese market and for the region in general," said Chris Wilson, senior vice president of the ultra-performance materials business line. The Solvay arm is also expanding its Asian distribution network for the polymers, establishing new supply centers in Singapore, China, Japan and South Korea.