Arkema invests $20 million in Singapore to triple Rilsan® Clear capacity, advancing sustainable transparent polyamides for global markets.
Arkema has unveiled plans to construct a new Rilsan® Clear transparent polyamide production facility in Singapore, reinforcing its strategic commitment to global growth and sustainability. This announcement follows the successful launch of its state-of-the-art polyamide 11 plant in Singapore, which boosted the company’s global Rilsan® polyamide 11 production capacity by 50%.
The upcoming unit, representing an investment of approximately US$20 million, is expected to commence operations in the first quarter of 2026. Once operational, it will triple Arkema’s global output of Rilsan® Clear transparent polyamides, significantly enhancing the company's ability to meet rising global demand for sustainable and high-performance transparent materials.
These advanced materials are increasingly sought after in key markets such as eyewear, consumer electronics, healthcare devices, and home appliances. Arkema is widely recognized as the leading producer of bio-based transparent polyamides, offering top-tier solutions that align with both environmental goals and technical requirements. Among its flagship products are Rilsan® Clear Rnew® G850 and G820, which are composed of 45% and 62% bio-based carbon content, respectively. These polyamides are renowned for their lightweight nature, excellent transparency, chemical resistance, and flexibility — all while delivering consistent performance across a wide range of temperatures.
Importantly, these materials are also fully recyclable under Arkema’s Virtucycle® recycling program, which focuses on circularity in advanced polymer usage. This reinforces Arkema’s sustainability strategy and further supports the eco-conscious objectives of its customers.
Laurent Tellier, Senior Vice-President of High Performance Polymers and Fluorogases at Arkema, commented on the development, stating, “We are very proud to take this new step forward with this expansion dedicated to transparent polyamides, as it aligns with the evolving demand landscape and showcases our commitment to global growth.” He emphasized that the expansion is a critical milestone in enhancing Arkema’s strategic production platform in Singapore and improving service to customers throughout Asia and globally.
The new unit will also play a key role in Arkema’s regional strategy to strengthen local supply chains. By manufacturing closer to its customer base in Asia, the company aims to reduce lead times, improve supply chain resilience, and offer more competitive delivery options. This regional production approach is designed to support Arkema’s vision of localized, sustainable industrial growth while addressing increasing environmental and regulatory pressures.
Overall, the investment underscores Arkema’s proactive response to market trends and its dedication to providing innovative materials that combine performance, sustainability, and circularity.
Leveraging its distinctive expertise in materials science, Arkema provides a comprehensive portfolio of cutting-edge technologies designed to meet the increasing global demand for innovative and sustainable materials. Driven by its strategic ambition to evolve into a pure player in Specialty Materials, the company has organized its operations around three synergistic, resilient, and highly innovative business segments: Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials, and Coating Solutions.
