February 10, 2026 15:35

Japanese group Daicel, which recently integrated engineering plastics producer Polyplastics (see article), has revised its investment plans in Germany for its Topas-branded cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), “in response to changes in the market environment.”

The new plant in Leuna, Germany, now completed, will not start up in the second quarter of this year as previously announced, but in the early months of 2027. Operated by subsidiary Topas Advanced Polymers, the 25,000-tonne-per-year facility would have doubled the group’s current COC capacity.

The postponement is driven by a slowdown in packaging demand and sharp increases in construction and labour costs. This change in context — the company explains — entails a significant risk of reduced profitability for the COC business.

Daicel currently produces COC at its Oberhausen site in Germany (pictured), which has been in operation since 2000 and has a capacity of around 30,000 tonnes per year.

© Polimerica -  Reproduction prohibited, all rights reserved