Armacell starts slicing operations of ArmaFORM PET in Canada

Thimister-Clermont, 31 August 2016 – Armacell Benelux has announced
the start of ArmaFORM PET foam slicing operations at its Canadian plant (Brampton, Ontario). The expansion of PET foam production capacity will be
done in three stages and will be completed at the beginning of 2017 with the
start of the production of Armacell’s third PET foam extrusion line.

Armacell has been serving the American wind blade manufacturers with its high-performance, cost-effective and sustainable PET-based core materials since 2012 via its Mebane plant in North Carolina. ‘The move to Armacell Canada is an important step in our supply chain optimisation process,’ says the new Managing Director of PET Core, Thomas Kessel. ‘And this move will provide more customer proximity and flexibility for our Canadian and American customer base, for both markets, where we see an increasing demand. The Brampton plant – acquired by Armacell in 2015 – comes with a significantly increased warehousing capacity of more than 80%. The future improved stock holding level provides the necessary versatility to quickly respond to unique requests and reduce lead times,’ he adds.

Global Sales & Marketing Manager PET Core, Henri Chapelle, comments: ‘Our new global PET foam core production setup, with significantly increased capacities as of next year, will form the basis for the continuation of the successful business with our American wind turbine customers and open the door for new markets and applications identified in the marine, transportation as well as the infrastructure and automotive industry where composites are increasingly used.’

The next step will be the start of PET foam welding operations by the beginning of October 2016. The expansion of PET foam capacity will be finalised with the production start of PET foam extrusion in Q1/2017.

Contact:

Belinda Janson
Marketing & Communication Manager PET Core Global
Tel.: +32 87 325070
E-Mail: belinda.janson@armacell.com