Nouryon starts production of new dibenzoyl peroxide in Mexico

Nouryon (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals) has started production of a new version of its dibenzoyl peroxide (BPO), Perkadox GB-50, at Los Reyes, Mexico. It is the first dry BPO on the market that does not use the desensitizing agent dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP), which the European Union recently reclassified as a category 1B Reproductive Toxin.

Read: Nouryon completes EBP expansion in Mexico

Perkadox GB-50 is used as a curing agent for road markings, flooring, elastomeric roof coatings, adhesives, chemical anchors and other acrylic composites.

“With GB-50 we developed a solution that addresses concerns associated with DCHP and meets our customers’ needs,” said Johan Landfors, Managing Director Polymer Chemistry at Nouryon. “We introduced the new formulation in 2018 and experienced significant global interest. Completing the Los Reyes expansion project ensures that we can meet growth in future market demand.”

The expansion and upgrade project at Los Reyes, including construction of a facility to make the new peroxide, involved investment of more than EUR12 million.

Ricardo Castanedo, Los Reyes Site Manager and Country Director Mexico at Nouryon: “Los Reyes has benefitted greatly from Nouryon’s commitment to the site. Over the past year, we have hired more than 100 additional staff to support our expansion and to ensure that we can continue to provide industry-leading support to our growing list of customers.”

This is the latest in a series of investments by Nouryon to better serve and grow with its customers in the polymer market. The company says it is continuing to strengthen its production network to enable continued security of supply to its customers in the North American polymer market. Additional capacity is also scheduled to come online in Brazil, China and India.