ARISTECH <ARS> TO INCREASE PRODUCTION CAPACITY
Aristech Chemical Corp said it plans
to increase production capacity for three of its key product
lines: polypropylene, bisphenol-A and phenol.
    Aristech said the polypropylene expansion involves a major
modernization of its Neal, W. Va., polypropylene plant.
    When completed, Aristech said, the project would increase
the plant's annual production to 264 mln pounds from 165 mln
pounds now.
    Aristech said the expansion will increase the company's
total polypropylene, a thermoplastic resin, capacity to 600 mln
pounds annually from 515 mln pounds now.
    Aristech also said it will expand bisphenol-A and phenol
production at its Haverhill, Ohio plant.
    It said the project will raise its bisphenol-A, which is
used to make polycarbonate and epoxy reins, capacity to 192 mln
pounds per year from 165 mln pounds now.
    Aristech added that phenol production will increase to 610
mln pounds per year from 585 mln pounds a year now.
    Phenol is used to make phenolic resins and adhesives for
engineering plastics, the company said.
 Reuter
