Lubrizol Advances TPU Investment Program
US specialty chemicals company Lubrizol has embarked on the next phase of its staged, multi-million-dollar investment program in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) capacity and capabilities to serve the rapidly growing global paint protection films (PPF) market.
This latest announcement comes on top of investments totaling more than $20 million during the past three years in capacity, application and testing capabilities and market insights.
The Wickliffe, Ohio-headquartered group is planning to undertake a series of progressive capacity increases through both debottlenecking and greenfield investments that will more than triple existing output over the next three years, further optimizing its global manufacturing footprint in order to support anticipated growth and innovation in the PPF market.
"The PPF market shows continued strong growth across the globe, driven by increased consumer awareness and the desire to protect vehicles' surfaces and maintain premium aesthetics," said Viviana Wilson, Lubrizol's global director industrial marketing of Estane engineered polymers.
In August 2020, Lubrizol announced that it had made several investments in its global TPU business. These included raising TPU capacity at its facility in Montmelo, Spain, and adding application resources and testing capabilities at its technical centers in Montmelo as well as Brecksville, Ohio, USA, and Songjiang, China, to develop next-generation innovative products. The company also expanded its consumer and market insights platform to stay ahead of evolving needs in PPF and other surface protection end uses.
In 2018, Lubrizol undertook multiple staged investments and expansions at Montmelo and its plant in Oevel, Belgium, for elastomers, aliphatics and adhesives to support its TPU business and meet growing global demand.
Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
