Arkema Launches Thiochemicals Platform in Malaysia

COLOMBES, France (Jan. 30, 2015) – Arkema recently completed the successful startup of the first thiochemicals industrial platform in Asia, which will support development, particularly in the animal feed, petrochemicals and refining markets. The thiochemicals platform, which originated in Kerteh, Malaysia, at the beginning of 2015, produces methyl mercaptan for use as a synthesis intermediate in animal feed and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS). The construction of this new world-scale site has represented an investment of some €200 million for the group.

By doubling its DMDS global capacity, the group supports the steady growth of the petrochemicals and refining markets, and now has world-scale plants in Europe, the U.S. and Asia. The start-up of the Kerteh plant marks a key milestone in Arkema’s growth strategy and will contribute to achieve its long-term targets. The production at the Kerteh site will ramp-up gradually. Arkema produces specialty chemicals to provide customers with practical solutions to such challenges as climate change, access to drinking water, the future of energy, fossil fuel preservation and the need for lighter materials.