Asahi Glass Company Announces ETFE Capacity Increase
November 24, 2005
Asahi Glass Company (AGC) has announced another capacity increase for Fluon?ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) fluoropolymers. This expansion at AGC's Hillhouse Plant in the United Kingdom will increase AGC's ETFE manufacturing capacity approximately 20% and further strengthens AGC's position as the leading manufacturer of ETFE in the world.
Pending approval from the European Union and other local agencies, construction is scheduled to begin in January 2006, with startup the following January. Project costs are forecast to be 15 million pounds sterling or about 27 million USD.
This expansion comes on the heels of a similar ETFE expansion at the company's Kashima plant in Japan that began operations in September 2005.
According to US Senior Business Manager for ETFE, Evan Laganis, this expansion is required the meet the increasing demand for ETFE in both the US and the European markets, particularly wire and cable, automotive, construction, and films.
Dr. Laganis commented: "ETFE has the unique combination of excellent thermal performance, outstanding chemical resistance, and good physical properties which makes it an ideal material for high performance applications." He continues: "This capacity increase in the UK along the recent expansion in Japan underscores AGC's strong commitment to the ETFE business."
Fluon?ETFE is marketed exclusively in the US by AGC Chemicals Americas, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGC. In addition to ETFE, the company is also a leading manufacturer of other high performance fluoropolymer resins (PTFE and PFA), fluoropolymer compounds (Filled PTFE Compounds, PTFE Micropowders, and Melt Processable Compounds), and fluoroelastomers (Aflas?. The company operates manufacturing facilities in the US, the UK, and Japan.
