US plastics compounder and distributor A. Schulman (Akron, Ohio; www.aschulman.com) has installed a new five-layer blown film extrusion line at its “Polybatch” European technology centre in Bornem / Belgium. The company said the investment will help it drive development of multi-layer applications, assisting in product advancements and customer support.

Due to its small size, the line will mainly be used as an R&D tool by the company, but external parties will also have access to it. It is particularly suitable for sample production, the company said, adding that it allows outputs of 50 kg/h and quick changeovers. At the same time, A. Schulman said the line also simulates regular production conditions.

The US group’s Polybatch centre in Bornem is one of five global technology hubs dedicated to product development and technical customer service support. With a global workforce of about 5,000, A. Schulman specialises in high-performance plastic compounds, composites and resins. The company posted a 48% year-on-year improvement in operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) to USD 66.9m in the third fiscal quarter of 2016, which ended on 31 May (see Plasteurope.com of 01.07.2016).