A Schulman to set up sheet moulding compound production line in Germany

A Schulman Inc, a supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and composites, will expand its compounding capacity with the addition of a new sheet moulding compound (SMC) production line in Germany. The new line will be operational by the end of 2017. Furthermore, in order to address increased demand from its European-based customers prior to operation of the new line, the company has opened an inventory facility in Slovenia.

The new production line will allow A Schulman to produce its entire range of glass and carbon fibre sheet moulding compounds in Europe, including its Quantum Engineered Structural Composites portfolio. Quantum products utilise glass and/or carbon fibres in combination with advanced chemistry systems to meet the most challenging application requirements in key markets such as automotive, aerospace and energy.

The company recently announced Quantum Forged Preg, its next generation composite material that utilises continuous carbon fibre; designed for applications requiring exceptional strength and stiffness while maintaining high-end look and feel. A Schulman already produces bulk moulding compound (BMC) in Germany, so the expansion further enhances the company’s approach of being a complete composites solution provider worldwide.

Mercedes Alonso, managing director, engineered composites, Europe, Middle East and Africa, said, “This investment is indeed aligned with the expansion of our product portfolio, and in particular with our focus on offering carbon fibre Quantum technology in Europe to meet our customers’ needs for light weighting. With an output of up to 4,000 tonnes per year we are able to offer enough capacity for years to come.”

Earlier this year, the company announced additional polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) compounding capacity at its Kerpen engineered plastics plant in Germany.