POLYKEMI
Swedish compounder to build US facility / PP grade said to suit car interiors
 Polykemi business controller Martin Eriksson (l.), and US unit CEO Johan Hugoson at the announcement of the new factory (Photo: Polykemi) |
Polykemi (Ystad / Sweden; www.polykemi.se) said it will spend nearly EUR 10m to build its own compounding plant in the US in what it calls the greatest single investment in company history. The Swedish supplier said it hopes to begin production at the site in the second quarter of 2022.
The plan is to build the plant in Gastonia, North Carolina, which lies near the city of Charlotte, and the company said the shop will have an initial floorspace of 4,600 m², with the option to double that. Plans call for two production lines at the start; the capacity of the facility was not revealed.
Johan Hugoson, who heads US operations, said, “We have delivered more than 10,000 t to customers on the North American market via US toll compounders or by direct delivery from our main plant in Ystad. Though, our goal has always been to start our own production in the US. We have now reached that milestone.”
The company founded its US unit in 2013 in the state of Delaware, and it said the new plant will produce the same material as the group does in Europe and Asia. “Shipments to American customers will come directly from the plant in North Carolina, saving time, costs and the environment.”
The plan is to build the plant in Gastonia, North Carolina, which lies near the city of Charlotte, and the company said the shop will have an initial floorspace of 4,600 m², with the option to double that. Plans call for two production lines at the start; the capacity of the facility was not revealed.
Johan Hugoson, who heads US operations, said, “We have delivered more than 10,000 t to customers on the North American market via US toll compounders or by direct delivery from our main plant in Ystad. Though, our goal has always been to start our own production in the US. We have now reached that milestone.”
The company founded its US unit in 2013 in the state of Delaware, and it said the new plant will produce the same material as the group does in Europe and Asia. “Shipments to American customers will come directly from the plant in North Carolina, saving time, costs and the environment.”
Polypropylene grade targets car applications
Polykemi said it has introduced a PP compound suited for automobile interiors. The “POLYfill PP EP317R UV” grade, based on virgin material, is said to have high scratch resistance and UV stability and excellent mechanical properties and broad colouration possibilities.
The company said it and its Swedish recyclate compounding subsidiary Rondo Plast (Ystad; www.rondoplast.se) have collaborated on the Complus concept, which offers choices between virgin and high-quality recycled plastic raw materials. The resins are said to have similar properties but are adapted for different injection-moulded parts within the same construction.
Polykemi cited the example of automotive door panels, often complex assemblies consisting of several parts with individual specific requirements. It said four material alternatives within its Complus PP concept can be used for the application.
The company said it and its Swedish recyclate compounding subsidiary Rondo Plast (Ystad; www.rondoplast.se) have collaborated on the Complus concept, which offers choices between virgin and high-quality recycled plastic raw materials. The resins are said to have similar properties but are adapted for different injection-moulded parts within the same construction.
Polykemi cited the example of automotive door panels, often complex assemblies consisting of several parts with individual specific requirements. It said four material alternatives within its Complus PP concept can be used for the application.
04.06.2021 Plasteurope.com [247722-0]
Published on 04.06.2021