Changhua, Taiwan – Covestro inaugurated its expansion project in Taiwan on 13 May, increasing the site's thermoplastic polyurethane capacity by 30%. It represents an additional 5kT/year TPU capacity, putting the site’s total at 23kT/year, according to local reports.
This is the third Covestro TPU expansion in 12 months. It follows a project in New Martinsville, West Virginia and increasing its stake in DIC, a Japan joint venture, to 80%.
‘The Changhua site is Covestro’s largest TPU production site in Asia,’ said Thomas Roemer, the company’s global head of thermoplastic polyurethane. 'With the capacity expansion, we will cater to the market’s needs in APAC.'
Uppers, shanks, insoles, midsoles, outsoles, heel cups and logos on shoes can all be made with TPU, Covestro said.
Meanwhile, the company is also developing a TPU fibre for advanced knitting technology. This can be used to produce stylish designs in a single knitting process, the company said.
