Carpentersville, Ill. — Thermoset and composite materials supplier Polynt-Reichhold Group plans to invest in local production of maleic and phthalic anhydride intermediate chemicals in the Americas.
The company said the investment will allow it to expand the integrated business model that it already uses in Europe and Asia.
President and CEO Rosario Valido said the company will either build or purchase capacity to make the intermediate chemicals. A company spokesman said it was too early to say where the capacity will be or the cost of the project.
Polynt-Reichold formed in 2017 when the private equity owners of Bergamo, Italy-based Polynt Composites and Durham, N.C.-based Reichold Inc. merged the two companies.
“With the successful merger of the worldwide composites activities of Polynt and Reichhold, we can now take the next step to strengthen our competitive position in the Americas and will purchase capacity or build maleic and phthalic plants with total combined capacity above 100 metric tons per year,” Valido said in a news release. “Integrating intermediates and resin production has allowed the group to gain a leadership position in the European composites business.”
Phthalic anhydride is used in unsaturated polyester resins (composites), alkyd coating resins (paint) and plasticizers (thermoplastic additives). Maleic anhydride is used in unsaturated polyester resins (composites), additives for lubricating oils, solvents, special esters and copolymers for water treatment.
Polynt-Reichold has 37 global manufacturing operations. Polynt-Reichold USA Inc. is based in Carpentersville.
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