The Woodlands, Texas -- Huntsman Corp. has started-up a new production line to manufacture specialist high performance thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) grades at its Osnabrück, Germany, facility. This expansion was announced in November 2007. Volume and financial details were not disclosed.
"We are delighted with this timely start-up which will satisfy customer demand especially in Asia, eastern Europe and the Middle East," said Ron Gerrard, vice president of Global Operations for Huntsman's polyurethanes business, adding that the investment "fits neatly into our global growth strategy."
TPUs, which combine the advantages of rubbers with those of thermoplastics, are increasingly displacing more traditional materials in a variety of end-use markets and this new line "strengthens our ability to meet this opportunity," he added.
Huntsman TPUs, made at Osnabrück and at Ringwood, Illinois are injected or extruded to produce roducts such as footwear, wire and cable encapsulations, hose, tubing, films and sheet. They are also used to produce coated and laminated textiles, protective/functional coatings and adhesives.
PIC: Ron Gerrard and Jan Verstraeten, site manager at Osnabrück, during last November's ground breaking for the TPU facility
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