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Lucite
International was created from the acrylic businesses of DuPont and ICI.
ICI's acrylics business began in the 1930s, when it invented the first
commercial process for MMA. Later, the business was acquired from DuPont and in
1999 it moved to Charterhouse Development Capital who rebranded it in 2002 as
Lucite International.
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| 1930s |
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ICI
invents the first commercial technology process for MMA.
ICI commences production of MMA and Perspex® sheet in the UK.
DuPont commences production of MMA and Lucite® sheet in the USA.
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| 1940s |
ICI establishes its first UK production site for Perspex.
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1960s |
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DuPont expands in the US, establishing operations in Memphis (MMA) and
Parkersburg.
ICI expands into Europe, establishing the Rozenburg (PMMA) operation near
Rotterdam.
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1970s
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ICI establishes Kaohsiung Monomer Company, a joint venture with CPDC in Taiwan
to produce MMA.
The first modern continuous cast sheet line is installed in Memphis, USA.
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1980s |
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Acrylics business established within ICI.
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1990s |
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DuPont and ICI invest US $500m in new MMA facilities in the USA, UK and Taiwan.
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1999 |
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Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP acquires ICI Acrylics and forms Ineos Acrylics.
Capacity expansion at Cassel, and Darwen, UK
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2000 |
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Acquisition of Acrylic Products, the leading acrylic sheet producer in South Africa and Bonar Polymers, a UK specialty resins company.
The facility at Fite Road, Tennessee, US becomes the first MMA plant worldwide to move from a two to three-year overhaul frequency.
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2002 |
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ACH plant and pipeline commissioned at Seal Sands, UK.
Alpha pilot plant successfully completed, technology proven and patented.
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2003 |
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Lucite International (China) Chemical Industry Co Ltd is formed and construction of the China MMA plant begins.
Site selection process for first Alpha MMA plant begins.
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2004 |
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Commercialization stage of Alpha technology reached.
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2005 |
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Lucite International announces its first Alpha technology plant to be built in Singapore.
Lucite International and MRC agree a MMA capacity sharing agreement under which Lucite International will supply MRC from its new Singapore facility and MRC will supply Lucite International from a new facility in Texas, USA.
China plant becomes operational.
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2006 |
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Acquisition of DuPont Acrylonitrite plant at Beaumont.
Appointment of Foster Wheeler as EPC contractor for Alpha Singapore.
Construction of world's first Alpha plant begins.
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2007 |
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Lucite International acquires DuPont's HCN production facility at Beaumont, Texas, USA.
Sale of Lucite International's US facilities in Olive Branch, Mississippi and Monterrey, Mexico to Plaskolite Inc
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2008 |
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Sale of Lucite International South Africa to Perspex South Africa PTY.
Alpha plant in Singapore becomes fully operational.
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2009 |
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Lucite International acquired by Mitsubishi Rayon Co. Ltd.
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