Company

Heritage

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.

1930s

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.

1940s

ICI establishes its first UK production site for Perspex.

1960s

DuPont expands in the US, establishing operations in Memphis (MMA) and Parkersburg.

ICI expands into Europe, establishing the Rozenburg (PMMA) operation near Rotterdam.

1970s

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.

1980s

Acrylics business established within ICI.

1990s

DuPont and ICI invest US $500m in new MMA facilities in the USA, UK and Taiwan.

1999

Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP acquires ICI Acrylics and forms Ineos Acrylics.

Capacity expansion at Cassel, and Darwen, UK

2000

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.

2002

ACH plant and pipeline commissioned at Seal Sands, UK.

Alpha pilot plant successfully completed, technology proven and patented.

2003

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.

2004

Commercialization stage of Alpha technology reached.

2005

Lucite International announces its first Alpha technology plant to be built in Singapore - going on-stream in 2008.

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.

2006

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.

2007

Lucite International acquires DuPont's HCN production facility at Beaumont, Texas, USA.

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