Celanese Corporation opens new production unit in Singapore

Mr Mark Oberle (left), Celanese senior vice-president and head of Asia operations, and Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Assistant Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board, at the opening ceremony of Celanese's new VAE production unit. PHOTO: CELANESE

SINGAPORE - Global technology and specialty materials company Celanese Corporation on Wednesday opened a new vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE) production unit as it gears up to meet growing demand.

VAE emulsions are used in a wide variety of industrial and consumer products, including paints and coatings.

The production unit, housed at the Celanese manufacturing facility on Jurong Island, will support the growing demand for ecologically-friendly materials in the South-east Asia region, as well as Australia, India and New Zealand, said the group in a statement.

Its location in Singapore and proximity to raw material suppliers offers excellent transportation logistics, giving Celanese the opportunity to "increase production capacity to supply more high-demand, high-quality VAE emulsions products in Singapore as well as across Asia, an area focusing on low-emission products and production".

Celanese did not disclose the cost of the investment.

"South-east Asia and India are leading the world's construction demand - especially for infrastructure projects - which drives the region's heavy demand for important materials such as VAE," said Mr Mark Oberle, Celanese senior vice-president and head of Asia operations.

"Over the last two decades, Celanese has focused on developing our VAE expertise and a reliable foundation in Singapore so Celanese can be the first-choice, long-term partner for manufacturers across Asia."

The new unit is Celanese's VAE investment in Asia and its fourth production unit within the Singapore plant.

"Asia, especially South-east Asia, continues to be a bright spot in the global economy and will spur increasing demand for environmentally friendly solutions," said Mr Lim Kok Kiang, assistant managing director of Singapore Economic Development Board.

"Celanese's investment reaffirms our value as a strategic hub for companies looking to ride on Asia's growth, and we look forward to working with Celanese to further advance their manufacturing capabilities."

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