Polykemi plans 50% capacity increase in US as demand grows

Swedish compounder Polykemi Group is planning a 50 percent production capacity increase at its U.S. plant by 2027, driven by faster-than-expected growth in North America.

The company began production at its Gastonia, N.C., plant in mid-2023 and has already hired new sales and support staff in the U.S. and Mexico. The plant currently operates two extruder lines with a combined annual capacity of about 7,000 tons. Plans are underway to add a third line as early as 2026.

“The way things are going now, it looks like a serious possibility,” said Johan Hugoson, CEO of Polykemi USA.

New hires include Sonny Nos and Joon Park in U.S. sales, and Octavio Ibarra Magallon in customer support for Polykemi Mexico. Nos will focus on the Southeastern U.S., while Park will serve Korean automotive customers in the U.S. market.

Hugoson said strong demand is coming not only from international customers already familiar with Polykemi, but also from unexpected sectors such as flood and stormwater protection in the construction industry. The company has also made inroads with major U.S. vehicle manufacturers sooner than expected.

Polykemi opened a Mexico sales office in early 2024 to support regional growth. The North Carolina facility is the company’s largest investment to date and produces custom compounds based on both virgin and recycled materials.

News Courtesy : Plastic News