Productivity increased by 60%!

In order to meet the market demand, the production base of Zebra-chem in Germany, which Milliken acquired in March last year, is currently expanding and increasing production
.
Zebra-chem is a specialty composites and chemicals company specializing in the production of additives and blowing agents for polyolefins, PVC and engineering thermoplastics
.

It is reported that the expansion will allow Milliken to increase the capacity of the acquired Zebra-chem company's Bad Bentheim plant by 60% by the end of the year
.
Milliken will install new manufacturing equipment and hire additional staff at the facility, which will be renamed "White Birch I.

" In addition, Milliken will build a new warehouse called "White Birch II" near the factory
.

Milliken expands production capacity and warehousing space at its Zebra-chem production site in Germany, which it acquired last year (Image credit: 2022 Milliken & Company, All Rights Reserved, MKPR269)

“We have seen very strong demand in several of the end markets where these value-added products are delivered
.
Customers are also looking to us to broaden our product offerings
.
The acquired production site will continue to serve global markets, with key business areas It's EMEA,
" said Tugce Asici-van Houselt, Sales Manager at Milliken
.

(Image credit: 2022 Milliken & Company, All Rights Reserved, MKPR269)

The factory produces viscosity modifiers and performance modifiers that can be used to improve the melt flow of recycled polypropylene (PP ) resins with little or no effect on the resin's physical properties
.
As a result, processors and brands can use more recycled materials for production without compromising the overall performance of the product
.

Wim Van de Velde, global vice president of Milliken's Plastic Additives business, said, "We are very pleased to leverage its European market leadership to accelerate the introduction of various market solutions, further improve production processes and increase production capacity from recycled plastics.

"This expansion also signals a clear market demand for this type of product
.
"

In addition, the plant produces a variety of solid concentrates as chemical blowing agents for use in foamed thermoplastic production processes
.
These blowing agents can be lightweight without compromising mechanical properties, while also providing better thermal and acoustic insulation, and are suitable for materials such as PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene
.
Processors can use these products in both extrusion and injection-molded foam processing
.