Emerald Kalama Chemical reportedly has completed debottlenecking on a reactor brought online in 2014 to optimize output, adding 50 KT of reactor capacity. The company has also entered the final stage of construction for a $40-million expansion at the company's Rotterdam, Netherlands, facility that will increase capacity and support growing global demand for Purox^® benzoic acid and Kalama^® benzaldehyde, as well as related downstream products. Construction for the project is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The project reportedly includes the addition of new purification and finishing facilities to the Rotterdam site, which will increase capacity by about 100,000 KT for benzoic acid flakes, sodium benzoate granules, and liquid benzoic acid. The scope of the original project was expanded to increase capabilities for Kalama benzaldehyde. Startup for the new purification facilities reportedly is slated for the first quarter of 2017.

“Growth for benzoic acid and benzaldehyde has continued to escalate as a result of increased demand in key segments worldwide, especially in Europe, such as food and beverage, animal feed, personal care and pharmaceuticals,” said Paul Hogan, vice president and general manager, benzoates and intermediates business. “Our Rotterdam operation is strategically located to serve the needs of these markets, and increasing our capabilities for this site supports our long-term strategic plan and enables us to remain global leaders in the benzoates industry.”

For more information, visit www.kalama.emeraldmaterials.com.