Teknor Apex Co. anticipates growth for its thermoplastic elastomers business in Europe as it recovers from the fall-put of a major fire at its United Kingdom compounding plant, the company said Sept. 3.
“We anticipate continued steady growth of our TPE business in Europe and will add appropriate compounding capability in the region with further increases in demand,” said Senior Vice President Suresh Swaminathan.
In Europe, he added, the company is structured to ensure regional supply and ready access to customer service, custom formulation, color matching, and engineering support.
Swaminathan's comments come a month after the Pawtucket, R.I.-based company decided to sell off certain assets of its U.K. manufacturing operation, following a blaze that destroyed much of its Oldbury, England, plastics and TPEs compounding site.
At the time, Teknor Apex president William Murray stated that his long-term plan was to manufacture styrenic TPEs and nylon compounds at other facilities in Europe.
The company manufactures compounds at a facility in Genk, Belgium and stocks supplies of products in Europe from plants around the world. Its European sales office in Geleen, the Netherlands, is described by the company as its “hub of support for TPE business in the region”.
Teknor Apex also announced that it would display a wide range of TPEs for the European market at Fakuma 2015, set for Oct. 13-17 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.