Extrusion tooling producer Innovative Plastics Technology Inc. has diversified into foamed vinyl and wood building profiles. The Quarryville, Pa., firm invested about $1 million to expand its plant in Newport, Pa., and add a Cincinnati Milacron twin-screw extruder and Technoplast downstream equipment. IPT President Jeff Nesbitt said his firm has been producing composite fascia and other profiles commercially to replace exterior wood applications since late July.
IPT's product is a cellular vinyl profile filled with wood flour and sawdust.
Nesbitt said the material holds nails well and requires less maintenance than wood. It is less expensive than solid vinyl siding. Lumber distributor Ramcorp of Pittsburgh markets the composite profiles.
Nesbitt declined to predict sales growth but said IPT plans to add another twin-screw extruder next month. IPT is not looking to license the technology outside, but will consider options if sales grow faster than the firm's ability to meet orders.
IPT blends chemically treated wood flour and sawdust and vinyl compound. Nesbitt said advances in process aids and other chemicals allow a good bond between the wood and vinyl components during the extrusion and foaming processes. The profile specific gravity of 0.4 is a bit heavier than wood's, but only a fraction of solid vinyl's.
Ramcorp now paints the fascia at its Frederick, Md., plant to boost weatherability, but Nesbitt expects to begin coextruding a weather-resistant capstock onto the profile at Newport within a month or so.