TechnoCompound (Bad Sobernheim / Germany; www.technocompound.com) is building a new 10,000 t/y production line for long glass fibre-reinforced polypropylene compounds to meet what it says is “greater than forecast” demand from the automotive industry. Adding output from the new facility, set to start up around mid-2011, total capacity for the products used in instrument panels, door modules and other components will rise to 60,000 t/y. Production will encompass five extrusion and three pultrusion lines, using the company’s proprietary technology. Two of the lines are designed for high throughputs, with the third to be used for small-scale and speciality runs.

“The response of the automotive manufacturers and their suppliers is so good that we have had to adjust our growth forecasts upwards once again,” said managing director Hans-Dieter Voss. He predicts “double digit growth” for the expanded capacity. The “TechnoFiber PP LGF” is claimed to have lower odour and emissions than common composite materials. Compared with similar products, total emissions are said to be reduced by around 25% and odours “diminished significantly.” The compounds are sold in the form of long pellets containing glass fibres with a minimum length of 10mm at a percentage by weight of 10-60%.