SWM expands China TPU film capacity

Suzhou, Jiangsu – US performance materials firm Schweitzer-Mauduit International (SWM) is installing a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film line at its site in Suzhou.

SWM is allocating $4m in total to the project. It will add 4m m/year TPU film capacity, according to an environmental impact report filed with the local authorities. Suzhou TED Construction Development won the construction contract in May. It is worth CNY 8.5m ($1.2m).

The new line in Suzhou follows another new TPU film line at SWM’s Gilberdyke, UK site, which opened recently. Like the Gilberdyke site, it will make Argotec protective film.

Commercial production is set to start in Q1 2020. The Asia Pacific region will be the target market, according to a press release on 17 July.

‘We are committed to…helping our customers continue to grow in the paint protection automotive aftermarket and the graphics market using our Argotec film products,’ said Kelly Huang, commercial director for Asia Pacific.

The Suzhou site opened in 2018, and is already making other extruded thermoplastic products. These include netting and tubing, as well as machined parts.