Bayer MaterialScience to invest in PC compounding expansion

29-Aug-07

In a bid to offer customers a better service with optimized logistics processes, world's no.1 polycarbonate Makrolon®, Bayer MaterialScience AG plans to invest in expansion of its global compounding network. Bayer MaterialScience plans expansion of compounding facilities at Krefeld-Uerdingen and also new facilities in Southern China and New Delhi, India. The Krefeld-Uerdingen site is the focus for investment, at around EUR 20 mln. The initial expansion phase is scheduled to take off towards the end of 2008. The silo has an annual capacity of 130,000 metric tons, which can be extended to 180,000 metric tons. A new logistics center is being constructed at Krefeld-Uerdingen for storing, mixing and packing Makrolon® and the polycarbonate blends Bayblend® and Makroblend®, with a new silo installation for direct filling. It enables particularly gentle mixing, dust removal and packing of granules, coupled with extremely high material throughput, which benefits both product quality and supply flexibility. The new logistics facilities are being built in close proximity of the Makrolon® compounding plant. Each production line is assigned to a filling unit, with granules being transported to blending silos using processes that minimize dust buildup in the granules. Mobile filling stations are used for packing 25 kg bags and bulk containers. The filling procedure is particularly gentle on the product as it works through the use of gravity. Bayer MaterialScience also plans to build a compounding facility in southern China for Makrolon® and its blends and this will begin production in the first half of 2008. In addition, construction of a compounding center is planned at the new site in New Delhi (India) for the end of 2008. A color competence center will be linked up to both plants, as is the case with the existing compounding facilities in Krefeld-Uerdingen, Filago (Italy), Newark (Ohio, U.S.), Shanghai (China) and Map Ta Phut (Thailand).