Wickliffe, Ohio – Materials specialist Lubrizol has invested in its thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) business to support its growth in the surface protection and paint protection film (PPF) markets. PPFs help to maintain vehicle surfaces.
The company, which declined to quantify the investments, said it has increased capacity at its site in Montmelo, Spain. It has also expanded its testing capabilities at Brecksville, Ohio and Songjiang, China, as well as at the Spanish location. These improvements should assist its programme to develop next-generation innovations, the company said.
Lubrizol has also expanded and improved its consumer and market insights programme. ‘[This should help us] stay ahead of the evolving needs in PPF and other surface protection end uses,' the company said.
'We're at our best collaborating with customers across the value chain,' said Gabe Rhoads, the company’s general manager for engineered polymers. 'We aim to create smarter, and this investment in TPU capacity, testing and process technology enables us to do more.' He added the investments will help Lubrizol react faster to customer demands.
As well as shortening reaction times and making customer needs more clear, Lubrizol said the investments will help make supplies more secure.
The company has also launched 'Made with Estane TPU' in a branding initiative as part of this upgrade.
Lubrizol employs almost 8,800 worldwide and in early August it bought 3D printer Avid Product Development.
A version of this article first appeared in Plastics News.
