By Frank Esposito
SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
Published: October 30, 2013 4:02 pm ET
Updated: October 30, 2013 4:08 pm ET
Styrolution GmbH will build a production line making a specialty styrenic feedstock at its plant in Altamira, Mexico.
The new line will make alpha methyl styrene acrylonitrile (AMSAN), a material used in Styrolution's Novodur-brand ABS and Luran-brand ASA resins. Adding AMSAN production in Altamira will allow Styrolution to expand its product offering and increase supply reliability throughout the Americas, as well as in industries such as automotive and construction, officials with the Frankfurt, Germany-based firm said in an Oct. 30 news release.
Products using AMSAN are known for their exceptional heat-resistant characteristics and excellent aesthetics, they added. Currently, Styrolution imports the material into the Americas from a plant in Germany. The new line in Altamira is expected to be in production by mid-2014.
The AMSAN line is in step with Styrolution's "triple-shift" growth strategy, Americas president Alexander Glueck said in the release. That plan calls for the firm to expands its efforts in three growth areas: styrenic specialties, emerging markets and higher-growth industries.
Styrolution employs 3,200 at 17 sites worldwide. The firm — which posted sales of almost $8 billion in 2012 — ranks as one of the world's largest makers of styrenics, including polystyrene and styrene monomer. | 
