NEWS
Covestro spends €100m to add film capacity at four global locations
Covestro of Germany is to expand its global film production, with capacity expansions planned at four of its worldwide facilities. The company is investing
more than €100 million to expand production at plants in Thailand, China, Germany and the USA – creating more than 100 jobs in the process. The investment will also be used to expand infrastructure and logistics. “With this capacity
expansion, we are investing in promising technologies
and applications,” said Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro. The expansion at Map Ta
Phut in Thailand is sched- uled for completion by the end of 2019. At the Guang- zhou site in China, Covestro will initially focus on converting the existing coextrusion line. The first new capacities will be available there as early as mid-2019. In a second phase, capacity will also to be expanded there. In South Deerfield, Massachusetts,
USA measures to increase efficiency and quality have already begun. Covestro is also building new coextru- sion lines in Dormagen, Germany, which are scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2020. Michael Friede, global
head of Covestro’s coatings, adhesives and specialities business, said: “We want to expand our global film production as quickly as possible to meet the growing demand in the regions.” �
www.covestro.com
Plaskolite takes over Rotuba
US-based sheet extruder Plaskolite has bought the profile lighting business of Rotuba Extruders. As a part of the transac-
tion, Plaskolite will acquire Rotuba’s manufacturing operations in Linden, New Jersey. Terms of the transaction – which closed at the end of June – have not been disclosed. The deal will expand
Plaskolite’s existing profiles business – which it says gives it a clear leadership position in the profile lighting market. “This further strength- ens our offering and allows us to rapidly develop extruded profiles to meet the demands of LED lighting,” said Mitchell Grindley, president and CEO of Plaskolite. Adam Bell, Rotuba’s
Covestro will boost output in Thailand, China, Germany and the USA
president, will remain with the company to lead the Plaskolite Rotuba profiles business. �
www.plaskolite.com �
www.rotuba.com
Lactips attracts more money for expansion
France-based Lactips – which is developing water-soluble and biode- gradable plastics from milk proteins – has raised €3.7 million (US$4.3m) in a new round of funding. “This capital increase shows the confidence of our investors in our products
www.filmandsheet.com
and business model,” said Marie-Hélène Gramatikoff, , CEO of Lactips. The investment will allow Lactips to invest in further industrialisation and commercialisation of its technology – such as by adding a 2,500 sq m workshop at its facility. The
material is already produced in pellet form in small quantities.
New investors include
BASF Venture Capital and BNP Paribas Development. Markus Solibieda, managing director of BASF Venture Capital, said: “Sustainability is a major
pillar of BASF’s strategy. With our investment in Lactips we intend to support the market-entry of their innovative products.” n There are more details on emerging bioplastics in our feature that starts on page 13. �
www.lactips.com
July/August 2018 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 5
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