Morris Township, N.J.— Honeywell Resins & Chemicals will expand production of caprolactam, a key raw material used in the production of nylon, at its Hopewell, Va., facility. The expansion, combined with ongoing production improvements, is expected to boost caprolactam output by as much as 10%. The Hopewell facility produces more than 750 million pounds, or 340,000 metric tons, of caprolactam annually.

“As global demand for caprolactam rises, especially in China, we are making the investments necessary to meet the demand for merchant supplies,” said Qamar Bhatia, vice president and general manager for Honeywell Resin & Chemicals, noting caprolactam consumption in China alone has grown from nearly 500,000 metric tons in 2002 to more than 700,000 metric tons in 2005. Demand in China is expected to outstrip regional supply through 2011.

The Hopewell facility is the world’s largest single-site producer of caprolactam.