Kureha Corporation announced that it has completed the construction of an additional facility to produce Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) at its Iwaki Factory in Iwaki, Japan.

Kureha’s Iwaki PPS facility formerly produced 10,700 tons per year and continued to operate at full capacity for past years. It now produces additional 5,000 tons for the total yearly capacity of 15,700 tons and serves customers with increasing demand.

Kureha expects PPS demand will continue for automotive applications where light-weighing and electrification are required as well as in other industrial areas needing excellent heat resistance and processability.

With this 5000 ton-production increase, Kureha will further enhance its stable and efficient supply of differentiated and quality PPS resins and aims to strengthen its position in the global market.

For Kureha PPS capacity enhancement, the company has incurred a capex investment of ¥10.1 billion. Trial production began in January 2021 and commercial production is expected in February 2021.