ETHYL CORP. IBUPROFEN PLANT CAPACITY EXPANSION is planned at its Orangeburg, South Carolina site for completion by the end of the first quarter of 1991. Ethyl, the world's second largest manufacturer of bulk ibuprofen, currently has the capacity to produce over 2,300 metric tons of ibuprofen annually. The company did not disclose the specific change in capacity. Ethyl is basing its expansion plans on estimates that ibuprofen's share of the OTC analgesic market in the U.S. will grow from its current 18% to 30% in the 1990s. "The over-the-counter market for ibuprofen is expected to grow rapidly throughout the world and we want to be prepared for this increase in demand," James J. Compass, VP of Ethyl's Performance Products Division, stated. The U.S. demand for ibuprofen could reach 3,500-4000 metric tons in the early 90's, the firm believes. More than 20 companies have approval from FDA to market ibuprofen in the U.S., and all are customers of Ethyl, according to the company. Ethyl also announced Jan. 10 the availability of developmental quantities of an optically-active S(+) form of ibuprofen for evaluation and testing. Ethyl has been producing ibuprofen at its Orangeburg plant since 1977. North American demand for the compound has grown nearly 10-fold since then, according to the firm. The company also exports ibuprofen. Britain's Boots plc., which introduced ibuprofen in 1974, is still the largest bulk manufacturer of the compound in the world, although Boots' patent expired in 1986. Currently the company manufactures ibuprofen in a 3,000-ton-per-year facility in Nottingham, England. In April 1988, Boots announced a joint venture with Hoechst Celanese to build a 2,500 ton-capacity U.S. ibuprofen production line at an existing Hoescht Celanese manufacturing facility in Texas at a cost of approximately $35 mil. ("The Pink Sheet" April 25, 1988, T&G-10). The Boots/Hoechst U.S. facility also is on schedule for a 1991 opening. The plant will have the ability to expand its capacity to 3,500 metric tons annually to meet market demand. Boots expects the Texas production line to be in full operation in the last quarter of 1991, with product available in early 1992. Meanwhile, Ethyl also announced Jan. 10 that it will begin site studies for a future European ibuprofen facility. "If it proves feasible, the new European plant would be built to enhance our market share in the worldwide market," Ethyl's Compass said.
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