ORLANDO, Fla.—Turkish plastic compounder Elastron Kimya S.A. has added U.S. compounding capacity to increase its market share in the region.
In late 2023, Elastron added a new twin-screw compounding line in Gainesville, Ga., said Jason Streit, technical sales manager, at NPE2024 in Orlando.
The firm, based in Gebze, Turkey, now operates three extrusion lines in Gainesville.
Streit said Elastron was at NPE because "it's important for us to show our dedication to TPEs and TPVs." The firm's product mix includes thermoplastic vulcanizates and styrenic thermoplastic elastomers.
"Automotive has been pretty steady for us," Streit said. "We've been really successful with roof racks and grilles." In those and other applications, Elastron's TPEs can replace a two-shot process, he added.
In electric vehicles, the firm's materials are being applied in grilles, spoilers and charging ports. Outside of automotive, Streit said soft-touch grips are providing opportunities for Elastron.
In late 2022, materials distributor Chase Plastic Services Inc. of Clarkston, Mich., partnered with Elastron to distribute the firm's Elastron V product portfolio of TPVs. Those materials are used in several markets, including automotive, medical, consumer and construction.
Elastron opened its Gainesville plant in 2018, investing $10 million in a facility that had initial annual production capacity of almost 8 million pounds. It was the firm's first production site outside of Turkey.
