WM International is expanding its thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film manufacturing capabilities to meet growing global demand by installing a TPU film production line at its production base in Suzhou. The new product line includes state-of-the-art manufacturing and quality control equipment and will support the growth of SWM's Argotec ™ protective film business in China and throughout the Asia Pacific region.
"Our customers are pleased to gain SWM's expertise in TPU film manufacturing. We will increase our high standard of service to film customers by producing and shipping TPUs locally and regionally," said Kelly Huang, SWM's Asia Pacific Commercial Director. "We are committed to the Asia Pacific region and use our Argotec ™ film products to help our customers continue to grow in the paint-protected automotive and graphics markets."
The new production line is expected to produce commercial quantities of TPU products in the first quarter of 2020. SWM's advanced manufacturing facility in Suzhou opened in 2018 and already produces other materials, including NaltexTM diamond mesh, Coretec ™ tubes and Coretec ™ machined parts. The new TPU film production line in Suzhou follows another recently added TPU film production line at SWM's plant in Gilberdyke, UK, to support the growing needs of film customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
"As the world ’s leading TPU film manufacturer, we are committed to producing differentiated, high-performance, and functional films that excel in difficult applications. We look forward to continuing to work with our Asia-Pacific customers on our Argotec ™ film, which is A world-renowned quality and performance brand, "said Carl Sittard, vice president and general manager of SWM.