Sulzer to Execute Contract for EPS Production Plant in Brazil

In March 2015, Sulzer has received an order from Innova S.A. for the delivery of a foam production system relying on Sulzer´s extruder-based melt impregnation technology. The facility in Triunfo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - with a capacity of more than 24,000 tons per year - will produce Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) for a broad range of applications, including state-of-the-art insulation material for the South American market. Commercial production is planned to start mid-2016.

Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, Sulzer’s division Chemtech is a leading supplier of separation, mixing and reaction technology, and associated systems. Growth areas are innovative production processes for polymers and foams. The technology portfolio for EPS production includes both, melt feed technology with raw material taken directly from a polystyrene reactor, and extruder-based technology for use of solid resin pellets. The recent acquisition of the German company aixfotec GmbH has strengthened particularly the extruder-based technology.

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Both technologies offer precise blowing agent dosing, temperature control, low shear, narrow bead size distribution as well as excellent mixing and dispersing of blowing agent and additives. While offering high flexibility to process different feed materials and recycling streams, Sulzer’s standalone extrusion system is particularly suitable for producing high-end insulation materials requiring precise control of key process parameters. Over the past ten years, Sulzer has developed formulations for production of insulation grade EPS requiring the addition of thermal non-conductive fillers and flame retardants.

Videolar-Innova is the first and only petrochemical company in Brazil to integrate, in a single industrial plant, the production units for ethylbenzene, toluene, styrene monomer and polystyrene.

The newly formed Videolar-Innova company is the biggest producer of styrene monomer and polystyrene in Brazil. With Sulzer’s support, Videolar-Innova will enter the South American insulation market. The strategic downstream integration will provide Videolar-Innova with unique production capabilities, in a region which is still importing most of its consumed EPS.

More information: www.sulzer.com

Sulzer Chemtech AG, Winterthur, Switzerland

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