Expansion Management

New Cellulose Manufacturing Facility to Open in Thailand

July 24, 2012

The new facility, expected to come on line in the fourth quarter 2014, supply the growing Asia market with its industry Avicel colloidal MCC which is used as a key ingredient in food and beverages.

Adrienne Selko

In order to increase their global food grade of class microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by 35%, FMC Corp. (IW 1000/922) announced on Tuesday that they will open in a new factory in Rayong, Thailand.

"Demand for MCC continues to grow rapidly in Asia," said Michael Wilson, president of FMC's Specialty Chemicals Group. "This addition of significant new capacity to our MCC network will be needed to supply high-quality products and service to our Asian customers, while at the same time providing us with greater flexibility to support global growth with our existing capacity in North America and Europe."

The new facility, expected to come on line in the fourth quarter 2014, supply the growing Asia market with its industry Avicel colloidal MCC which is used as a key ingredient in food and beverages

However, the facility's design will allow for future volume expansion, and the manufacture of different product lines for both the food and pharmaceutical markets, as demand warrants, the company said.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.