Covestro LLC hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its New Martinsville, WV, USA, production facility, commemorating the successful startup of its thermoplastic polyurethane capacity expansion.
According to the company, this latest investment will increase its annual TPU production capacity in North America by 25 % through debottlenecking. The capacity increase at New Martinsville follows the recent announcement of a TPU capacity expansion at the Covestro facility in Taiwan, said the company.
“Covestro recognises the high growth potential of this market, which is why we’ve taken steps globally to secure our position as a leading TPU supplier,” said Brian Long, head of TPU Commercial Operations for Covestro in North America. “Today is an important milestone on that journey. By extending our production capabilities in North America, we’re able to meet growing customer demand while also exploring new market opportunities for our TPU business.”
The capacity expansion supports the company’s Texin product line, a family of versatile polymers used in a wide range of applications, such as automotive instrument panels, medical devices and footwear. The New Martinsville facility was the first in North America to produce Texin, starting nearly 50 years ago.
“Today’s occasion is a fitting tribute to a long legacy of world-class TPU production here in New Martinsville,” said Craig Graybill, vice president and general plant manager of Covestro’s New Martinsville Industrial Park. “We’re proud to build on that legacy through enhanced production offerings that will allow us to better serve our customers and sustain our strong manufacturing presence in the region.”