Specialist films producer Infiana (Forchheim / Germany; www.infiana.com) has started up a new blown film extruder at its site in Malvern, Pennsylvania, USA. Infiana said the additional equipment will allow it to better serve customers in the building and construction industry as well as enabling more rapid production of its tailored film products.

Robert Shumoski, general manager of Infiana USA, said the company was now better positioned than ever to respond to growing customer demand, both locally and globally. “The additional production capacity allows us to expand our existing leadership in the building & construction and pressure sensitive markets. Our ability to deliver high-quality products to growth industries such as composites and personal care has also been strengthened,” he stated.

The extruder is just one of several equipment purchases made as part of Infiana’s previously announced EUR 20m investment in its manufacturing assets – see Plasteurope.com of 14.06.2016. Further printing and coating capabilities are expected to be installed and commissioned in the Malvern facility by the second half of 2017.

Infiana said that by expanding its production and finishing capacity, it not only intends to make inroads into key markets, but also to remain responsive to fluctuating demand while improving flexibility in its film production. Peter Wahsner, Infiana’s CEO, said the investments further reinforce its North American competency centre and the new capacity will play an important role in delivering Infiana’s customised film solutions on an international scale.

The Malvern site supplies the North American market with siliconised release liners, and non-siliconised smooth and embossed films, primarily for applications in the building & construction, pressure sensitive and composites industries.

Infiana also has production sites in Forchheim / Germany, and Samutsakorn / Thailand.