AVON LAKE, OHIO -- PolyOne Corp. is adding capacity in Poland and China for PVC powders used in slush molding applications in the auto market.

New capacity for the powders will be added at PolyOne plants in Kutno, Poland, and Dogguan, China, officials with Avon Lake, Ohio-based PolyOne said in a March 18 news release. The powders help automotive OEMs and Tier One suppliers increase productivity, reduce scrap and address the need for reduced-weight auto interiors, they added.

The investment "is consistent with the automotive industry's desire to work with global suppliers able to offer local production capability," Performance Products and Solutions president Robert Rosenau said in the release. Full-scale production of the new capacity is scheduled to be online in the third quarter of 2013.

The powders are sold under the Geon VBX trade name. PolyOne officials said the powders offer several advantages over alternative materials, including safe and effective airbag deployment in extreme temperatures and excellent aging performance for long-term durability and aesthetics.

PolyOne has annual sales of about $3 billion. The firm ranks as North America's largest compounder and concentrate maker and as one of the region's largest resin distributors.