LUTHERSTADT WITTENBERG, Germany—Polymer-Technik Elbe GmbH will construct a new compounding facility in Lagos de Moreno, Mexico, to improve delivery to customers in the NAFTA region, the company announced this week.
Production at the new facility is scheduled to start during the second half of 2016, the rubber compounder said. The plant is expected to create 100 new jobs.
After a “successful engagement” in China, the company said in a statement, PTE will increase its market presence with the construction of a mixing plant in Mexico.
The greenfield plant for rubber compounds will be opened toward the end of 2016, it noted, adding that $20 million has been allocated for the first five years of the project.
“By building this new plant, we are making another important investment in the future of our company, which will enable us to generate sustainable growth,” said Wolfgang Keil, managing director of PTE, which is expecting “very good conditions for the growth” in the North American market.
During the first phase, two production lines for black and colored compounds will be installed.
At startup, the new facility will have capacity to produce around 18,000 tons of rubber compounds annually. The factory will be ISO/TS 16949 and ISO 14001 certified.
With group sales in 2014 of $200 million and 450 employees, PTE has factories in Germany, France and China. It offers polymer compounds for industries including automotive, construction, mining, appliances and mechanical engineering.