Switzerland-based chemicals group Clariant said Friday it has started up a new specialty polymers plant at its Tarragona production site in Spain. 

The plant, which cost Eur16 million ($21 million) and took two years to build, produces specialty polysulfonates. 

Polysulfonates have a wide range of applications, from face creams in the cosmetics industry to additives for well cements used in the oil & mining industry, Clariant said. 

"The output will meet growing demand in markets" served by the company's Industrial & Consumer Specialties and Oil & Mining Services businesses, the company said. "The investment ... in Tarragona is part of its ongoing expansion in global capacity for the mining sector." 

No other details were provided and no one at Clariant was immediately available for comment.