Custom compounder Teknor Apex (Pawtucket, Rhode Island / USA; www.teknorapex.com) is installing a new line for production of TPE thermoplastic elastomers at its Oldbury / UK plant. The line, its second for TPEs in Oldbury, will have an annual capacity of 3,500 t and is scheduled to start operation in the first quarter of 2011. Output from the new line will focus on styrenic-based TPE compounds destined for European customers. It will include “Monprene” compounds for a range of consumer and industrial applications, “Tekbond” bondable grades for over-moulding and “Elexar” wire and cable products.

According to UK sales director Barry Galpin, “Teknor Apex UK will now offer European customers a broad portfolio of TPE compounds backed by extensive experience in important application sectors like automotive, consumer products, industrial components, medical devices and wire and cable.”

The announcement of the compounding investment comes a few weeks after Teknor Apex said it would acquire DSM’s (Herleen / The Netherlands; www.dsm.com) “Sarlink” thermoplastic vulcanisate TPV business – see Plasteurope.com of 23.09.2010. This business has operations in Leominster, Massachusetts / USA and Genk / Belgium, with annual sales of about EUR 50m.

Teknor Apex UK has several lines at Oldbury for producing polyamide as well as acetal and thermoplastic polyester compounds. An existing TPE pilot line will now be used for R&D and production of small lots.