Covestro strengthens its global film production; investment of EUR100 mn

German company Covestro says it intends to significantly expand its global film production to meet the growing demand in all regions. In particular, capacity expansions are planned at Map Ta Phut, Thailand, Guangzhou, China, South Deerfield, US, and Dormagen, Germany. The total investment of more than EUR100 million also includes the expansion of the associated infrastructure and logistics.

According to current planning, over 100 new jobs will be created worldwide for the operation of the new plants. The semi-finished products are used in the automotive, medical technology and security card industries, amongst others.

"With this capacity expansion, we are investing in promising technologies and applications," says Dr. Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro. "The innovative high-tech materials offer solutions for future challenges and deliver their contribution to making the world a brighter place."

One of the new production facilities is being built in Map Ta Phut in Thailand and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019. It is based on modern coextrusion technology.

At the Guangzhou site in China, the focus will initially be on converting the existing coextrusion line. The first new capacities are to be available there as early as mid-2019. In a second phase, capacity is also to be expanded there. In South Deerfield, Massachusetts, measures to increase efficiency and quality are already being implemented.

Covestro is also building new coextrusion lines in Dormagen, which are scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2020. Only a year ago, the company commissioned a new production line there for high-quality, multilayer flat films, including infrastructure and logistics facilities.

"With these expansions we create the conditions to meet customer requirements more flexibly and quickly. Our tailor-made products enable versatile applications in various industries," says Dr. Thorsten Dreier, global head of the Specialty Films business.

Covestro is a global supplier of special technical films, primarily made from polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). It has production facilities in Europe, North America and Asia. By selectively adjusting the surface structure, using additives or coating, the films can be equipped with further innovative functions. The products are characterised by good scratch and UV resistance and can also be equipped with special light scattering capacity and barrier properties.

Customers also benefit from extensive technical support coordinated by the service centres in Shanghai (China), South Deerfield (US), Dormagen and Bomlitz, Germany. In addition to research into new and innovative products, this also includes the simulation and optimisation of customers' production processes.

(PRA)

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