Akzo Nobel Signs Co-operation Agreement With Ineos Nitriles

By Maryam Cockar

Akzo Nobel NV (AKZA.AE) said Friday that it will expand its production of biodegradable chelates, which are used in the production of detergents, using one of Ineos Nitriles Ltd.'s chemical products.

The Dutch paints-and-coatings company said its specialty chemicals unit has signed a long-term co-operation agreement with Ineos Nitriles, a producer of acrylonitrile, which is used in the automotive, home-appliance, carbon-fiber and water-purification industries.

Ineos Nitriles is part of Ineos Group Holdings SA.

With this partnership, Akzo Nobel said its specialty chemicals unit will be able to expand its chelates production in Europe and that it will invest in Ineos's production facilities in Cologne, Germany.

Construction of the new facilities is expected to start later this year, with completion due in 2020.

Demand for high-quality chelates has been increasing in the last couple of years, particularly following the European ban on phosphates in consumer automatic dishwasher detergents, Akzo Nobel said.

Write to Maryam Cockar at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 20, 2018 04:57 ET (08:57 GMT)

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