Kemira Increases Capacity for Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride Sizing Agents in China

Kemira, a leading producer of alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) in the Asia-Pacific region, has made a significant multimillion-euro investment to enhance its ASA sizing agents' production capacity at its Nanjing facility in Jiangsu province, China. This expansion includes the addition of a complete third production line, along with increased storage and tank capacity. These upgrades are aimed at improving customer delivery times and ensuring supply reliability.

ASA sizing agents play a crucial role in enhancing water resistance for paper and board products, particularly in packaging applications. They have become the preferred choice for sizing agents across various paper, packaging, and board grades. Kemira's Nanjing site is recognized as the world's largest production facility for ASA, solidifying the company's position as the leading producer and supplier of sizing agents in the APAC market. Since its inception in 2014, production at the Nanjing site has steadily increased to meet growing market demands.

Nichlas Kavander, Senior Vice President of Commercial Pulp & Paper APAC at Kemira, expressed enthusiasm about the completion of this expansion project. He stated that it would significantly enhance the company's ability to serve customers across the APAC region while also addressing the rising demand for high-quality sizing products. Kavander emphasized that ASA is the preferred sizing agent for new paper, packaging, and board machines, highlighting its importance in the industry.

The newly added production line is set to be fully operational by October 2024, further positioning Kemira to meet the evolving needs of its customers in the region. This investment underscores Kemira's commitment to maintaining its leadership role in the sizing agent market and enhancing its production capabilities to provide reliable and timely solutions to its clients.

In conclusion, Kemira's expansion in Nanjing represents a strategic move to bolster its manufacturing capacity and responsiveness to market demands. With the new production line coming online soon, Kemira is poised to continue delivering high-quality ASA sizing agents that are vital for the production of water-resistant paper and board products, especially in the fast-growing packaging sector. This initiative not only strengthens Kemira's market position but also reinforces its dedication to meeting customer expectations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Kemira is a worldwide leader in providing sustainable chemical solutions for industries that rely heavily on water. Its clientele includes industrial and municipal water treatment operators, as well as players in the pulp and paper sector, among others. Kemira offers tailored products and services designed to enhance product quality, improve processes, and increase resource efficiency for its customers. The company emphasizes water treatment, renewable solutions, and digital services. In 2023, Kemira reported annual revenues of approximately EUR 3.4 billion and employed around 5,000 people.