Paneltim NV of Lichtervelde, Belgium, a maker of lightweight and strong plastic sandwich panels, is opening a U.S. facility, Paneltim USA LLC in Plymouth, Mich.
The company announced the news in late 2019.
Lightweight Paneltim panels are hollow plates with an internal cell structure. The panels are produced by injection molding half panels that are then welded together to form a closed panel. The company said it exports about 20 percent of its products to the U.S., which prompted the expansion.
At K 2019 in Düsseldorf, Germany, the company said it had already hired two key manager to oversee sales and warehouse duties, and that final site selection was underway.
The panels are used in a range of applications such as liquid tanks and ducts, livestock housing, planters, walkways, furniture, containers, transport boxes and trailers.
At K 2019, the company rolled out the Paneltim Technical Standard for calculating structural applications built with double-walled plastic panels, which the company makes from thermoplastics.
Also at K, Paneltim introduced the Paneltim Antislip panel with an orange peel structure, which scores high on walkability standards.