International. Covestro intends to significantly expand its global film production to meet the growing demand in all regions. In particular, capacity expansions are planned in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, Guangzhou, China, South Deerfield, USA and Dormagen, Germany.
The total investment of more than €100 million also includes the expansion of the associated infrastructure and logistics. According to current planning, more than 100 new jobs will be created worldwide for the operation of the new plants. High-quality semi-finished products are used in the automotive, medical technology, and security card industries, among others.
"With this capacity expansion, we are investing in promising technologies and applications," says Dr. Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro. "Innovative high-tech materials offer solutions to the challenges of the future and contribute to making the world a brighter place."
"We want to expand our global film production as quickly as possible to meet the growing demand in the regions," explains Michael Friede, global head of the coatings, adhesives and specialties segment. "With modern and efficient production facilities, we want to offer our customers growth opportunities and strengthen them in their competitive environment."
Global capacity expansion
One of the new production facilities is being built at Map Ta Phut in Thailand and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019. It is based on modern co-extrusion technology.
At the Guangzhou site in China, the focus will initially be on converting the existing co-extrusion line. The first new capabilities will be available there in mid-2019. In a second phase, capacity will also expand there. In South Deerfield, Massachusetts, measures to increase efficiency and quality are already being implemented.
Covestro is also building new co-extrusion lines in Dormagen, scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2020. Just a year ago, the company commissioned a new production line of high-quality multilayer flat sheets, including infrastructure and logistics facilities.
