Continental Structural Plastics (CSP, Auburn Hills, Michigan / USA; www.cspplastics.com) is planning to install a sheet moulding compound (SMC) line at its site in Pouance / France. The subsidiary of Teijin (Tokyo / Japan; www.teijin.co.jp) – see Plasteurope.com of 10.01.2017 – intends to expand its range of services in Europe and strengthen the development of composite formulations, says Philippe Bonte, president of CSP's European business. The company is investing EUR 5.1m in the new line, which is scheduled to go into operation in the third quarter of 2019.

CSP claims to be the largest SMC compounder in North America, with a capacity of more than 84,000 t/y in the US. The new line in France is expected to help drive the development of composite products, including low-volatile organic compound (VOC) formulas that are currently under development to meet European regulations. The line will have the capability to produce SMCs made with glass and carbon fibres.