Ascend Performance Materials declares force majeure on HMD

Following Ascend Performance Materials' decision to declare a force majeure on hexamethylene diamine (HMD), Wood Mackenzie Chemicals Head of Thermoplastics, Quentin de Carvalho, commented:

"Due to events beyond Ascend Performance Materials' control, manufacturing delays arose as it completed projects in December to expand both adiponitrile (ADN) and HMD (180 ktpa capacity according to the Wood Mackenzie Yellowbook 2018). While the company’s ADN expansion is operational and meeting anticipated post-expansion rates, the HMD expansions have not yet met the company’s targeted production rates. As a result, the company must declare a force majeure.

"This is the eleventh declaration of force majeure in the polyamide 66 industry in the last twelve months. This reinforces the shortage of ADN/HMD intermediaries in the market, compounding existing questions about supply reliability in the industry."