Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) compounding group, Hexpol TPE, has announced further expansion to their global capabilities with the start-up of TPE production and product development in North America. The news follows the recent announcement that the group is renaming their ELASTO and Müller Kunststoffe sites to Hexpol TPE as part of a global branding strategy.Hexpol TPE currently operates sites in Sweden, UK, Germany and China. The North American TPE production and product development facilities have been installed at Hexpol’s RheTech Colors plant in Sandusky, Ohio and will be marketed under the Hexpol TPE name.
Speaking of the expansion, Craig Dunaway, General Manager at RheTech Colors and Hexpol TPE in North America commented "The investment in our new TPE capabilities is driven by customer and market demand. We are working with a number of global customers that we already supply from the Hexpol TPE operations in Europe and China, we can now also provide local supply and support in North America. We have also seen good synergies between existing customers for RheTech products that are looking for a local TPE partner."
The initial focus for the North American operation will be the Dryflex family of TPE compounds. Dryflex TPEs have been developed to add soft-touch aesthetics, functional performance and product safety features to a range of applications in the consumer, automotive, industrial, packaging and construction markets.
Don Picard, Vice President Sales and Marketing for Hexpol Compounding in North America added "Alongside our rubber and thermoplastic compounding, the new Hexpol TPE operation in North America reinforces our position as a truly global provider of advanced polymer compounds."
