Expansion includes doubling metal alkyls production capacity and introducing new MMAO manufacturing at its Jiaxing site, alongside establishing a dedicated Organic Peroxides Innovation Center in Tianjin.
Nouryon has substantially strengthened its production capabilities at the Jiaxing site by completing a major capacity expansion for metal alkyls. This investment will ultimately double the company's ability to produce triethylaluminum (TEA), a crucial co-catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene and polypropylene. These polymers are essential for a wide range of products, including packaging, automotive components, and consumer goods, supporting China's expanding industrial and consumer sectors.
Further reinforcing the Jiaxing site's importance, Nouryon will begin producing modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) there in 2027. MMAO is a key component in catalysts for polyolefin elastomers, which are increasingly utilized in high-growth areas like solar panels in China. This move positions Nouryon to grow alongside its customers in one of the world's fastest-growing polymer markets and directly addresses local market needs for specialized catalyst components.
The metal alkyls expansion was not limited to capacity alone. It also incorporated vital infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of advanced thermal oxidizer emission control systems and enhanced capabilities for blending and cylinder transfilling.
The Jiaxing site already houses an R&D laboratory, established in 2024, which focuses on improving process efficiency and pioneering new production methods for metal alkyls, ensuring polyolefin innovation and regulatory alignment in China.
Complementing the production growth, Nouryon is set to open an Organic Peroxides Innovation Center in Tianjin in 2026. This center will be equipped with specialized polymer application capabilities, designed to accelerate product development and provide enhanced technical support directly to customers. Organic peroxides are essential for the production and modification of many polymers, and this new center will allow for faster, localized innovation, enhancing Nouryon’s responsiveness to the specific demands of the Chinese market.
Larry Ryan, president at Nouryon, emphasized the strategic rationale behind these projects. “Nouryon’s investments in China reflect our commitment to delivering future-ready polymer specialties solutions through localized manufacturing and innovation,” Ryan stated. “By leveraging our global polymer catalyst expertise and applying it to local market needs, we are enhancing supply reliability, accelerating innovation and supporting our customers’ growth.”
These projects fall under Nouryon’s Performance Materials segment within its Polymer Specialties business unit. The company is a global leader in polymer solutions, helping to make end-products lighter, more durable, and more efficient, and supporting the entire polymer lifecycle from production and modification to recycling.
