German polymer supplier Covestro (Leverkusen; www.covestro.com) has announced additional production capacity at its domestic plant in Bomlitz for Platilon brand films, which are based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

The company said investment in the expansion was in the low double-digit million range and did not supply any data on the increase in available output. In addition to production, operations at site, which is run by Covestro’s Epurex Films subsidiary, include research and development.

The supplier explained that the increased capacity will target rising global demand for multi-layer TPU films, whose areas of application include car interiors, construction, wound care, and outdoor clothing.

“We have also been developing customer-specific solutions with films made from alternative raw materials for some time, as we are also observing increasing demand,” said Aleta Richards, who heads the global speciality films division. “The development and production of partially bio-based products should therefore become a new focus in Bomlitz.”

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The bio-based raw materials selected will depend on the product, a Covestro spokesperson told Plasteurope.com. “This can be, for example, a hot-melt adhesive film for which a raw material based on castor oil is used.” The TPU film could also be based on different plant sources, the spokesperson said.

Along with German sites in Leverkusen and Dormagen, Epurex Films is one of Covestro's three competence centres for speciality films in the country.