Tekni-Plex Inc. is rebuilding a Gallarate, Italy, plant that makes thin PVC films for adhesive tapes that was damaged in a March 21 fire.
The first of two 80-ton calenders that are replacing those damaged in the fire arrived July 23. The 5-meter-tall calender arrived on a special flat-bed truck in the middle of the night to avoid causing traffic delays, the company said in a news release.
The second calender is scheduled to arrive early next year.
"We are making significant progress in rebuilding our PVC tape manufacturing plant after the fire," said Nino Crisafulli, general manager of Tekni-Plex Gallazzi. "I want to thank all of our employees and contractors, particularly Rodolfo Comerio, for helping us clean up and rebuild as quickly as we did in the midst of a global pandemic."
All employees were safely evacuated during the March 21 fire, and no injuries were reported. The site employs 70.
Wayne, N.J.-based Tekni-Plex makes plastic and rubber products including packaging materials, medical compounds and medical tubing. The parent company employs 2,500 and has manufacturing in Belgium, China, Costa Rica, Germany, India, Italy, Northern Ireland and the United States.
Tekni-Plex Gallazzi is part of the global Tekni-Films business, which has manufacturing plants on three continents — North America, Europe and Asia — and a contract manufacturing facility in South America.