CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/891910
NEWS BIZ BRIEF 17 CompositesWorld.com Owens Corning: New Plant in France +1 (775) 827-6568 • www.abaris.com MEET THE DEMAND FOR ADVANCED COMPOSITE TECHNICAL SKILLS ENGINEERING • MANUFACTURING • REPAIR • NDI Owens Corning (Toledo, OH, US) reported on Sept. 29 that it plans to invest US$50 million to rebuild a glass melter and expand production capacity by approximately 25% at its Chambéry, France, composites manufacturing facility. The investment will support the growing de- mand for glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastics in Europe. The melter is expected to be operational by mid-2018. After the rebuild, all chopped strand products for the thermoplat- ics market coming out of the Chambéry facility will be based on the company's boron-free Advantex glass. Advantex fibers, contends Owens Corning, contributes to decreased emissions and reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing fiberglass, compared to standard E-glass. Advantex reportedly also provides superior performance in composites-facing corrosive environments when compared to E-glass. "This investment will support our customers' growth in the thermoplastic chopped strand market by ensuring that we continue providing consistent, high-quality products," says Umberto Rigam- onti, Owens Corning's VP and managing director of Glass Reinforce- ments Europe and Global Thermoplastic Products. "Our composites business benefits from a strong global footprint, R&D; centers in five countries and assets available and committed to support the increas- ing adoption of composites. The strategic investment in Chambéry strengthens our value proposition to thermoplastic customers, sup- porting our respective growth agendas."