Emerald Kalama Chemical, a business group of Emerald Performance Materials, recently announced plans to restart a second benzoic acid reactor train at its facility in Rotterdam, Netherlands, reportedly adding 75,000 metric tons of new capacity for benzoic acid. The added capacity is intended to support sales of the company’s Kalama^®and PUROX^®brand of benzoic acid and benzoate preservatives, as well as the expanding internal consumption needs for downstream products that have been driving growth. The project is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2014.  

“Benzoic acid is the core product at the heart of our operations and essential to everything we do,” said Ed Gotch, president. “Our wave of recent expansion activities—which include expanded operations at our facilities in the United States and Netherlands—will continue to increase our global footprint and allow us to meet growing demand for our products in markets such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, personal care and industrial uses, including adhesives, sealants, caulk, paint, coatings, graphic arts and vinyl applications.”

For more information, visit www.emeraldmaterials.com.