Avient Corp. has installed its first production line in Asia for the firm's long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites.
The new line was installed at Avient's Asia regional headquarters in Shanghai. It will meet increased demand for the firm's Complet-brand and OnForce-brand composite materials, officials with Avient in Avon Lake, Ohio, said in a news release.
"With the composites market transitioning from traditional materials like aluminum alloy or steel to long fiber composites, we are seeing an increasing need for an integrated approach that includes material formulation, component design, and forming process," specialty engineered materials Asia general manager Flight Xu said in the release.
He added that, combined with engineering support and design from Avient, the new production line "offers local customers an efficient and agile setup that helps them accelerate speed to market and differentiate from their competition."
Complet and OnForce composites offer significant weight reductions along with the time and cost savings benefits of single-step injection molding, officials said. Formulations can be tailored to meet specific requirements by using a range of engineering resins, including polypropylene, ABS and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), for power tools, sports equipment, utility vehicle, furniture and outdoor recreation applications.
Avient ranks as one of North America's largest producers of compounds, concentrates, composites and protective fibers. The firm posted sales of $3.4 billion in 2022.