Arkema Triples Its Production Capacity of Transparent Polyamides with a New Plant in Singapore
French chemical company Arkema has commissioned its new Rilsan Clear transparent polyamide production unit in Singapore, according to a press release issued on Monday. This facility triples the group's global capacity in this segment and makes it the leading producer of transparent polyamides in Asia.
Operational Excellence and Strategic Expansion
The new unit, which represents an investment of approximately 20 million dollars, is now fully operational, the company reports. This project, announced in July 2025, is part of the group's strategic roadmap in specialty materials. With this commissioning, Arkema has tripled its global production capacity of Rilsan Clear transparent polyamide, thereby strengthening its position as the world's leading producer of specialty polyamides, according to Laurent Tellier, Deputy General Manager of High Performance Polymers and Fluorinated Gases. The unit is designed with a focus on operational excellence and reliability, the press release specifies.
Meeting the Growing Demand for High-Performance Transparent Materials
This new production capacity will enable the group to meet the increasing demand for sustainable, high-performance transparent materials, Arkema states. Target markets include eyewear, augmented and virtual reality applications, consumer electronics, industrial filtration, medical devices, and household appliances. Rilsan Clear transparent polyamides offer lightness, high transparency, flexibility, and chemical resistance, while being fully recyclable through the group's Virtucycle program, the press release notes. Arkema highlights that it is the largest producer of bio-based transparent polyamides with its Rilsan Clear Rnew G850 and G820 grades, containing respectively 45% and 62% bio-sourced carbon.
A New Milestone in the Development of the Singapore Platform
This expansion marks a new milestone in the development of the Singapore platform, which contributes to the group's strategy to develop a local and competitive supply chain close to its customers in the region, according to Laurent Tellier. Arkema, which aims to become a pure player in specialty materials, is organized around three dedicated segments representing 92% of its revenue in 2024: adhesives, advanced materials, and coating solutions, as well as an intermediates segment. The group achieved a turnover of approximately 9.5 billion euros in 2024 and has a presence in nearly 55 countries with 21,150 employees.
