Expansions: B.I.G. Yarns invests in new yarn technology; Ascend to buy compounding plant in Mexico

Belgium-based yarn maker B.I.G. Yarns has revealed significant investment in its next-generation Polyamide (PA) technology to help global carpet tile manufacturers meet the demands of the contract market. In addition to this key investment, the company also announces its decision to become a new producer of polyester (PET) yarns for the automotive industry.

B.I.G Yarns is stepping up its focus on developing and producing one-step 3Ply PA yarns using next-generation technology to answer needs for flexibility and broader design options in the carpet tile segment. Total production capacity for one-step 3Ply yarns will increase by > 20% through new lines installed at the plant in France, creating higher output and greater supply security by serving customers from all three of its global plants.

The new lines use B.I.G. Yarns’ cutting-edge PA yarn technology which expands design, contrast and colour freedoms for carpet tile manufacturers, and increases flexibility in lot sizes. These advances enable customers to respond quickly to developments in the contract market. In addition, the new technology features a higher level of automation which improves ergonomics for B.I.G. Yarns’ employees. Importantly, it also optimises energy use which contributes in energy savings at the French site specifically. The new production lines will be deployed from mid-2022.

To enhance support for a future of more sustainable automotive interiors, B.I.G. Yarns will enter into PET yarn production for the first time and offer a portfolio of PET yarns by the third quarter of 2022. These will be available for automotive applications alongside its EqoCycle recycled-based PA6 yarns.

B.I.G. Yarns adds it is proactive in developing new products that better serve customers’ needs in a sustainable way and is fully committed to integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals in its operations. Its two European plants have this year been granted a first Sustainable Business Charter 2021 and from July both sites ran on 100% on green electricity, reducing its CO2 emissions for its electricity use by 35% in 2021, and with 75% in 2022.

In other news, US-based materials provider Ascend Performance Materials has announced plans to purchase a compounding facility in San Jose Iturbide, Mexico, growing its global footprint and expanding production capacity for high-performance engineered materials.

The purchase agreement includes the assets of DM Color Mexicana, a joint venture between Dainichiseika and Mitsubishi Corp. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.

"We continue to invest in and grow our engineered materials business with a focus on regional production," said Phil McDivitt, Ascend's President/CEO. "This acquisition establishes our footprint in Latin America and allows us to produce our world-class materials closer to our global customers."

Ascend, a fully integrated producer of durable engineered materials, has grown its global production footprint with four acquisitions over the last three years.

"We remain committed to supporting our customers' growth and innovation through continued investments in our global manufacturing footprint, the development of new materials and enhanced technical services and support," said Isaac Khalil, Ascend's senior vice president for polyamides.

Details of the deal were not disclosed.

(PRA)

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