Klöckner Pentaplast of America says it is currently installing rigid vinyl film production capacity at its subsidiary, Pentaplast do Brasil. The 12,000 sq. m. site in Cotia, Brazil, is scheduled to open its first phase of production in January 2004.
The first phase of the plant will consist of one production line with a capacity of up to 7,000 tons of vinyl film and sheet annually for the pharmaceutical and other applications for South and Central American customers.
A second phase will add a PVdC coating line for producing barrier films for the pharmaceutical market soon after phase one is completed, according to Klöckner. Finally, a third phase of the project will add additional capacity to support the growing market for specialty films.
The company said that the expansion was originally planned for a site in Salto (in the state of São Paulo), but the site in Cotia is closer to the major market of the city of São Paulo, as well as the existing Klöckner Pentaplast do Brasil service centre. Klöckner will also centralise its production, sales, and administrative staffs at the Cotia facility.
"This expansion will enable us to continue to support our Latin American customers' growing demand for high-quality films," said Michael Tubridy, president of Klöckner Pentaplast of America.