The Fortron Industries plant in Wilmington is the world's largest linear PPS operation with a 15 000 tonne annual capacity. Fortron's operation in Wilmington is a joint venture of Kureha Corporation and Ticona Engineering Polymers, a subsidiary of Celanese.

According to Celanese, there is a growing worldwide demand for Fortron PPS, a high-performance polymer used in demanding industrial applications. Fortron PPS thermoplastic is used in place of metals and thermosets in applications such as auto pumps, valves, air ducts and powertrains, electronic connectors, plugs, switches and circuit boards. Composites made from Fortron PPS are being used to manufacture aircraft components.