Covestro Lifts West Virginia TPU Capacity
Through debottlenecking, Germany-based engineering plastics producer Covestro said it plans to expand production capacity for thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) at its New Martinsville plant in the US state of West Virginia by 25%. The new capacity is expected to be in the market by the second quarter of next year.
The plastics producer said the increase in output underscores the strategic importance of TPU in its portfolio. As demand rises both in North America and globally, the additional output will allow it to continue to support the growth of its customers as well as explore new market opportunities, it added.
Covestro’s thermoplastic polyurethane, sold under the Texin brand name, is used in diverse extrusion and injection molding applications. Marius Wirtz, global head of the company’s TPU franchise, said the investment aligns with the company’s expansion activities in other regions and is a sign of its commitment to the “innovative and versatile polymer.”
The company said earlier it is expanding output of TPU at its Changhua Taiwan, site. This capacity is also scheduled to be in the market. The addition of 5,000 t/y here will expand output capability to 23,000 t/y.
Covestro also operates a TPU research and development center for developing high-end materials at the Changhua facility, complementing its production base for polyether polyols at Caojing, China.
