Covestro AG has broken ground on a new 100 million euro ($113.7 million) manufacturing line for polycarbonate films at its production plant in Rayong, Thailand, to improve delivery times and increase its market access.
The Leverkusen, Germany-based company expects the undisclosed added capacity to serve the fast-growing demand in Asia Pacific, while strengthening Covesro's position as “a market leader.”
“Our existing films plant in Map Ta Phut [Rayong] has been a high-performing and valued facility,” Thorsten Dreier, global head of Covestro´s specialty films business, said at the groundbreaking ceremony.
According to the Covestro, the main objective behind the expansion is to intensify collaboration with customers in Asia Pacific, and in particular, to improve “efficiency and punctual delivery.”
The plant opened in January 2007 and produces Makrofol polycarbonate and Bayfol polycarbonate blend films. The films are used in industry sectors such as security and ID cards, automotive, medical and electrical and electronics.
According to Covestro's website, the Map Ta Phut plant currently has a production capacity of 290 kilotonnes per annum, making it one of the largest Covestro units globally.
The new facility is designed to extend the range and grades of products that are currently produced at the existing plant.