St Louis, Missouri -- Solutia Inc. has appointed Celanese Corp. as its new marketing partner for ethyl acetate for the Americas. Celanese will distribute ethyl acetate from Solutia's sites in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Trenton, Michigan, in order to supplement its own production and sales in the Americas region.
Solutia's two production sites combined have about 22 kilotonnes per annum capacity for ethyl acetate. Solutia's current partner, BP Amoco Chemical Co., will honour supply contracts and agreements until 31 Dec 2008.
Solutia said ethyl acetate is used as a solvent in oil-based lacquers and enamels (especially in polyurethane finishes) and in inks and adhesives.
"Ensuring the on-going supply of product to customers is our primary focus during this transition," said Wing Kwang, global business director, Automotive and Specialty Additives, Solutia, in a 15 Dec announcement. "Present customers of Solutia's ethyl acetate will be notified of their new regional Celanese sales contact so that new contracts or agreements can be developed to ensure uninterrupted supply after the transition is completed."
"We are pleased to be the new ethyl acetate marketing partner for Solutia, and see this agreement as a way to ensure a continuous supply of quality product to our customer base," said John Caamano, global business manager, Solvents, Celanese.
Ethyl acetate is used to make nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate lacquers and as a solvent in adhesives and in spread-coating compounds for artificial leather and in many chemical processes.
"
