The Breda plant is located in the southernmost region of the Netherlands,
28 miles (45 kilometres) from Antwerp, Belgium and 31 miles (50 kilometres) south of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. It is situated on a 50-acre site (20-hectare) and houses several production lines for the manufacture of expandable PS, solid PS and a variety of styrenics Performance Polymers.
The site's first EPS production line started up in 1964, with significant expansion of a second production line in 1969. In 1977, the first continuous polystyrene production plant began operations, with a second continuous line starting up in 1998. NOVA Chemicals acquired the Breda facility in 2000 and designed a world-class European Technology Centre, which is also located on site. This center is integrated with the manufacturing operations and technical services and includes a research laboratory and pilot plant facilities used for commercial testing for our customers.
Production
Styrene, which is transported to the site via barge, and pentane feedstocks are used in the production of both EPS and polystyrene resins. The Breda site has the capacity to manufacture 200 million pounds (90 kilotonnes) of EPS resins per year. A unique feature at Breda is the capability of producing more than one type of EPS simultaneously through the use of three fully automated finishing units. Specialty cup grades and high-density EPS are also produced at Breda.
Styrene is also the basic feedstock for crystal polystyrene. Using a variety of proprietary product and process technologies, production capacity at Breda is 210 million pounds (95 kilotonnes) of crystal polystyrene annually. The finished product is typically shipped in pellet form via rail and truck to customers.
End Products
Expandable polystyrene beads are used in foam packaging, cups and insulation and are also available in fire-resistant grades for the building and construction markets. End-use applications for crystal polystyrene include compact disc cases, medical applications and foam meat trays.
Approximately 250 employees work at the Breda site.
The Breda site is ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 registered.
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