NTA opens acrylic plant

JAKARTA (JP): PT Nisshoku Tripolyta Acrylindo (NTA) has announced a successful start to its operation to manufacture acrylic acid and acrylic acid esters, the first venture of its kind in Southeast Asia.

Acrylic acid is a basic raw material used in the manufacture of a number of consumer products, while acrylic acid esters are used to produce paints, adhesives, textiles, and paper treatment products.

NTA, which has a paid-up capital of US$60 million, is a joint venture set up by the Japanese companies Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd. and Tomen Corporation, and Indonesia's PT Tri Polyta Indonesia.

Construction began on the company's production plant in Cilegon, West Java, in January 1997 and was completed in July. The most up-to-date and efficient technology has been installed in the plant by Nippon Shokubai, the world's leading acrylic acid and acrylic acid esters producer.

The Cilegon plant has an annual production capacity of 60,000 metric tons of acrylic acid and 100,000 metric tons of acrylic acid esters, the company said.

The company explained that the two products would come to the market in October, adding that they would be sold to both local and overseas buyers. Indonesia currently has to import the two products. (rei)