Therminol executives break ground in Newport, Wales, on July 1, for a new plant.

A new manufacturing facility in Newport, Wales, will product Therminol 66 and other biphenyl-based co-products for Eastman Chemical, Kingsport, Tenn., once the new facility is online.

Eastman Chemical broke ground on July 1, putting into action a plan to increase capacity for its Therminol heat transfer fluids. The facility is expected to be operational in the second half of 2014. It will increase Eastman’s total capacity for Therminol 66 by more than 50 percent.

“This expansion positions Eastman to meet the needs of heat transfer fluid customers with our flagship Therminol 66 product,” says Ravi Prakash, global business director of the specialty fluids business in Eastman’s Specialty Fluids and Intermediates segment. “We are committed to helping our customers meet demand by providing a reliable supply of Therminol 66. This investment is consistent with our vision to remain the global leader in high temperature heat transfer fluids.”

Therminol heat transfer fluids are synthetic fluids used for indirect heating and cooling of chemical processes. These fluids may also be used in consumable products, as raw materials, or as process solvents in chemical applications where high boiling point, low vapor pressure, and thermal stability attributes are needed.

The company also produced a video describing the expected capabilities of the Newport, Wales-based facility.