OQ Chemicals completes U.S. propionaldehyde expansion

As part of a strategy to expand the company's applications portfolio, Germany-based OQ Chemicals has mechanically completed an expansion of its U.S. facility in Bay City, Texas, to produce high-purity propionaldehyde.

OQ Chemicals said the project will support operations at Röhm's new world-scale methyl methacrylate (MMA) plant, which has been integrated into the Bay City site.

"This achievement reflects the dedication and excellent collaboration of our OQ Chemicals team, various partners, contractors and stakeholders, who all played an important role in achieving this important milestone," comments Markus Heuwes, Project Director at OQ Chemicals.

Röhm and OQ Chemicals launched this joint project in October 2022. The new plant is the first to use Röhm's proprietary LiMA technology to produce MMA, an important precursor for applications such as coatings, adhesives, medical products and road markings. At the same time, OQ Chemicals began building the infrastructure and services that are critical to the operation of the Röhm plant.

"Achieving mechanical completion highlights OQ Chemicals' commitment to delivering projects on time and to the highest quality standards. As we move forward, our focus remains on the final stages of the project, including commissioning, testing and handover. We are committed to ensuring a seamless transition to operational readiness so that our partners can realize the full potential of their investments." said Kyle Hendrix, President of OQ Chemicals USA.