Sheet extrusion machinery manufacturer Processing Technologies International (PTi, Aurora, Illinois / USA; www.ptiextruders.com) has broken ground on the construction of a USD 10m plant expansion at its Aurora headquarters. The company said the expansion, financial details of which were not disclosed, is in response to growing demand for sheet extrusion equipment. The investment will provide an increase in overall plant capacity by 50% through the addition of 3,700m² of manufacturing and office space and a technology development centre. The addied space is expected to be oprational in November this year.

PTi president Dana Hanson said: “Our business has hit record levels the last several years and our products are being well received throughout the packaging markets in North America. We are planning for a sustained period of growth that will require expanded manufacturing resources.”

The expansion will accommodate a feed screw testing and development centre along with an expansion of the current “dryer-less” twin-screw sheet extrusion demonstration facility. It will also include crane runways for primary assembly, production offices, and an inventory and parts management area.