Solvay Advanced Polymers, the US-based provider of high-performance polymers to the food service industry, will expand the production capacity of its polyamide-imide (PAI) plant in South Carolina, during the next nine months. When completed, the plant's capacity to produce Toloron polyamide-imide will be increased by 30 per cent.
According to Daryl Brace, Solvay Advanced Polymers' global business manager for the TORLON resin and fabricated parts business, the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2003.
Toloron PAI is an ultra-performance thermoplastic that offers the advantages of a thermoset, in that once cured, it provides exceptional performance in some of the most severe service environments. But like a thermoplastic, it can be processed by standard methods such as injection moulding, extrusion and compression moulding.
"Despite today's difficult economic environment, this expansion testifies to the significant commitment Solvay Advanced Polymers is making to support our customers' growth and successes," said Brace. "It also gives us greater opportunities to explore and develop new markets and product applications," he added.
The Greenville plant produces both Torlorn resin and compounded products.