Lg Chem Says New Capacity Raises Global ABS Ranking

LG Chem, Seoul, Korea, has raised its ABS capacity to 800,000 tonnes/yr through plant expansions in Korea and China. The company says it will be the world’s third-ranked supplier.

The company held a dedication ceremony on Dec. 17 for its expanded ABS facility at LG Yongxing Chemical Ltd., Ningbo, China. The manufacturing affiliate now can produce 300,000 tonnes/yr of abs, double its previous capacity.

LG Chem moved the expansion forward by about seven months due to rapid demand growth and the need to boost competitiveness via greater economies of scale. The company expects China’s ABS market to grow by 8.2%/yr through 2005. Demand in 2001 totaled 1.85 million tonnes, according to LG Chem, with imports amounting to 1.43 million tonnes. In past years, China has accounted for about 50% of total global imports of ABS.

“This extra capacity will also include specialty grades, which had been exclusively manufactured in our facility in Korea,” said No Ki Ho, CEO and president of LG Chem.

The firm also recently added 100,000 tonnes/yr of production capacity to its ABS plant in Yeosu, Korea, boosting nameplate there to 500,000 tonnes/yr.