DuPont adds Hytrel compounding unit in Luxembourg

Geneva, Switzerland -- DuPont has added a new compounding unit in Luxembourg in a final step to completing its hytrel TPE (thermoplastic polyester elastomer) consolidation in Europe.

The company said in its 17 Oct statement that the new line is part of a $9 million (€6.3 million) investment project to integrate its entire Hytrel production chain - from polymerisation to compounding and delivery of the finished product to customers - at its Luxembourg site for “greater production efficiencies, reduced environmental impact and improved customer service.”

Commercial production of Hytrel in Luxembourg will begin in October, while a second line is scheduled for 2008, said DuPont.

“This move serves our customers and fully fits into our growth strategy for the EMEA region,” said Keith Smith, vice president and general manager at DuPont Engineering Polymers, in the statement. “It was enabled by the dedication of our workforce in Mechelen and Luxembourg, whose team spirit made it happen,” he added.

According to Smith, the Luxembourg site was a prime choice for consolidation because throughout its five years of service it has been one of DuPont's most reliable production sites. As part of the expansion, 11 news jobs will be created, said DuPont.

Hytrel has previously been compounded at the company's site in Belgium, so the company has had to transport the polymerised material from Luxembourg to Belgium for final processing. DuPont said that the new approach will have a “direct environmental benefit,” as it will eliminate handling and transportation requirements as well as reduce the amount of packaging material that is needed.

The company said that it “hopes to achieve production synergies through the integration of all processes at a single site” as well as “increased operational flexibility and enhanced customer service,” said DuPont.

Hytrel - which combines the flexibility of rubber with the strength and processing ease of thermoplastics - is used in the automotive industry as well as industrial products and consumer and sporting goods.

This is an external link and should open in a new window. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Press release from DuPont