Amidst strong dicumyl peroxide (DCP) demand globally, AkzoNobel has embarked on the next phase of expansion to double its production at its organic peroxide facility in Ningbo, China. A part of AkzoNobel’s Specialty Chemicals business, the Ningbo site produces DCP, an organic peroxide used as a cross-linking agent in the manufacture of polymers.

Capacity at the site was boosted by 40% in August, following the completion of an initial project. However, the new planned expansion will increase the production capacity by more than 100 per cent by the 3rd quarter of 2018 to 38,000 tons per year. AkzoNobel’s Ningbo DCP plant is the largest of its kind in the world.

“The market for DCP is strong and continues to grow globally,” says Johan Landfors, Managing Director of AkzoNobel’s Polymer Chemistry business. “This new expansion is necessary to meet that demand, and is also a visible demonstration of the company’s continued commitment to invest in the future of the Specialty Chemicals business.”

DCP is used in the production of a variety of polymers, used in shoe soles, insulating high voltage cables, connecting offshore wind parks and other sources of renewable energy and the likes, that need to have exceptional durability.

“The continued development in Ningbo is a clear sign to our customers that we are dedicated to retaining our leadership position in the organic peroxides industry,” adds Werner Fuhrmann, AkzoNobel’s Executive Committee member responsible for Specialty Chemicals.

More than 500 people are employed at the Ningbo site, which houses manufacturing plants for several of AkzoNobel’s Specialty Chemicals businesses.