After a joint feasibility study on the project's potential, the three partners decided to move the project forward with the early phase of the engineering study.The investment decision will be made at the end of next year.The agreement will lead to a joint venture that is expected to commence operations in late 2020.A new plant in the Hemaraj Eastern Industrial Estate in Rayong will produce 13,000 tonnes per year of super engineering plastic (high-heat-resistant polyamide-9T or PA9T) and 16,000 tonnes per year of hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) products.Kuraray will also conduct a feasibility study on producing 3-Methyl-1,5-Pentanediol (MPD), one of the company's Isobutene derivatives, for which the plant will have the capacity to produce 5,000 tonnes per year.PTTGC will supply butadiene and isobutene as key feedstocks for the plant. PA9T has outstanding thermal and mechanical properties, chemical resistance and super-dimensional stability, which make it ideal for producing lightweight vehicles. HSBC's key properties are softness, thermal resistance, anti-slip, low toxicity, weather resistance and recyclability.Many industries, including consumer products, automobile and construction, use HSBC, which is also suitable for medical and baby products and items such as swim fins, window seals and toothbrush handles.Supattanapong Punmeechaow, president and chief executive officer of PTTGC, said yesterday that the partnership combined their strengths to bring the best products to market.

Source: The Nation Bangkok September 13, 2016 18:00 UTC