Global polymer producers Lanxess AG and DuPont Co. invested more than 10 million euros ($14 million) to expand production at their European polybutylene terephthalate joint venture, DuBay Polymer GmbH.
The cash injection at DuBay Polymer's site in Hamm-Uentrop was dedicated to new PBT compounding capacity. The 50-50 venture, launched in 2004 with annual PBT resin capacity of 175 million pounds, provides the material for each of the partners.
The investment by Lanxess of Leverkusen, Germany, and Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont will lead to 11 new jobs. The plant now employs 70.
``This step is the result of the continuing increase in demand for PBT,'' said Richard Mayo, global director of productivity at DuPont's engineering polymers unit.
With properties such as high heat resistance, stiffness, strength and low surface friction, PBT is used in the electrical/electronics and automotive sectors. It is used in vehicle headlamp bezels and distributor housings.
