New nylon technology at Invista’s Texas facility
Invista has selected its production
facility in Orange, Texas, as the initial location to install its adiponitrile
(ADN) technology. ADN is an intermediate chemical used in the manufacture of
nylon 6,6.
The project to convert the Orange site to the new
technology is underway, and Invista is expected to invest more than $100
million at the facility over the next 18 months.
"We’re moving quickly,” said Bill Greenfield, executive
vice president of the company’s nylon intermediates business.
"The required environmental and construction permits have
already been approved, the detailed project engineering work is nearly finished
and we have already begun the site work.
"We expect to begin commissioning some of the new units approximately a year from today and hope to be in full production by mid-2014."
The technology involves a new butadiene-based chemistry
that improves product yields and ease of operation while requiring a lower
annual maintenance investment compared with existing technology. It also offers significant air emission and waste reductions.
