Owens Corning Corp. is planning to invest 42.5 million euros ($50 million) to rebuild a glass melter and expand production capacity by approximately 25 percent at its Chambéry, France, composites manufacturing facility. The melter is expected to be operational by mid-2018.
“This investment will support our customers' growth in the thermoplastic chopped strand market by ensuring that we continue providing consistent, high-quality products,” said Umberto Rigamonti, Owens Corning's vice president and managing director of glass reinforcements Europe and global thermoplastic products.
The facility produces chopped glass fiber strands primarily used to reinforce thermoplastics in a variety of applications. After the rebuild, all thermoplastic chopped strand products from the facility will be based on boron-free Advantex glass. Advantex technology yields a higher performing glass fiber and a significantly smaller environmental footprint compared with standard E-glass processes, the company said.
In recent years, Toledo, Ohio-based Owens Corning has invested in facilities and alliances to grow with and support the global and regional thermoplastics markets. In addition, the company has leveraged its innovation resources to steadily launch products that are driving the adoption of thermoplastic polymers and technologies.
