U.S. performance materials firm Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc. (SWM) is installing a thermoplastic polyurethane film line at its site in Suzhou, China, to support demand for its Argotec protective film business in China and across the Asia Pacific region.
The Alpharetta, Ga.,-based company is investing $4 million in the project, which will add 4 million meters per year of TPU film capacity, according to an environmental impact report filed with local authorities.
The new line in Suzhou follows another new TPU film line at SWM's Gilberdyke, United Kingdom site, which opened recently. Like the Gilberdyke site, it will make Argotec protective film.
Commercial production of Argotec in Suzhou is set to start in early 2020.
"We are committed to … helping our customers continue to grow in the paint protection automotive aftermarket and the graphics market using our Argotec film products," Kelly Huang, commercial director for Asia Pacific, said in a news release.
The Suzhou site opened in 2018, and is already making other extruded thermoplastic products. These include netting and tubing, as well as machined parts.