Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) announced plans to again expand 2-EH capacity at its Longview, Texas, site. The expansion will increase capacity by approximately 20,000 metric tons per year. The company expects to complete the expansion in the fourth quarter of this year. In support of the 2-EH expansion, a 25,000 metric ton expansion of butyraldehyde will also occur at the site. The company completed a 32,000 metric ton expansion of 2-EH at the site in April of 2012.
"In the short time since our last 2-EH capacity increase, we have seen strong demand growth for this product," said Juan Moncada, business unit director of Eastman's Oxo Chemicals business unit of the Specialty Fluids & Intermediates business segment. "We are committed to reliable supply for our 2-EH customers, while also supporting internal growth for products like our Eastman 168™ non-phthalate plasticizers."
An oxo derivative, 2-EH is used in end products such as plasticizers, like Eastman 168™ non-phthalate plasticizer, 2 ethylhexyl acrylate, and additives for fuels and lube oils. End markets for 2-EH include building and construction, transportation, medical, consumables, and durable goods manufacture.
