US chemical producer Eastman has announced it will expand output of performance films at Martinsville, Virginia, to meet growing demand in automotive and architectural markets.

The expansion is scheduled for completion in late 2017, lifting capacity for both paint protection films and window films to support the continued growth of Eastman’s Llumar and Suntek brands. Eastman added that the plans follow the recent launch of its next-generation paint protection film products that have seen “tremendous” adoption by dealers and customers around the world.

Investment costs were not disclosed but the Kingsport, Tennessee-headquartered group said the project will be its largest films expansion to date.

The project is in addition to the $40 million three-year investment announced in September 2013 to expand manufacturing operations at the site in Henry County-Martinsville, which Eastman acquired from Solutia in 2012. In addition to increasing capacity, the investment also went on upgrading infrastructure and technology, improving warehousing and making environmental, safety and reliability enhancements.