Kuraray, Sumitomo and PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) have signed a Key Principle Joint Venture (JV) Agreement confirming their intention to develop a project to manufacture and sell super engineering plastic and hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) products in Thailand. The project involves a new facility, located in Hemaraj Eastern Industrial Estate in Rayong Province, which will have the capacity to produce 13,000 t/y of high-heat resistant polyamide 9T and 16,000 t/y of HSBC products. 

PTT Global Chemical is a leading player in the petrochemical industry and owns several petrochemical facilities with a combined capacity of 8.45 million tonnes a year. Sumitomo Chemical is a Japanese based manufacturer of a diverse range of products, including basic chemicals, petrochemicals and plastics, fine chemicals, agricultural chemicals, IT-related chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Kuraray produces specialty chemicals, fibres and other materials, including functional resins and films, synthetic isoprene chemical products, synthetic leather, vinylon fibre and polyester fibre.

Kuraray will also conduct a feasibility study for a 5,000-t/y 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol unit.  PTTGC has agreed to supply butadiene and isobutene feed for the project.

An investment decision is planned for the end of 2017 and a new JV company is expected to be formed at the beginning of next year.

The partners have already completed a front-end engineering design study for the project, following an agreement signed in September 2016, and said they are confident about implementing the project.

“This investment will play a key role in further developing Thailand’s chemical sector and make an important contribution to the country’s economic growth, increasing competitiveness and reinforcing the government’s drive to become Thailand 4.0,” said Supattanapong Punmeechaow, president and chief executive of PTTGC.