Zotefoams confirms planned boost to US manufacturing capacity on track
Walton, KY, February 11, 2019 – Zotefoams, the world’s leading manufacturer of closed-cell crosslinked polyolefin block foams, has confirmed that its project to double US high-pressure autoclave capacity for its AZOTE® polyolefin foams range is on track, with the commissioning of a second vessel as planned in late 2019.
This will be the culmination of a three-year $42 million investment program at the company’s Walton, KY site, designed to augment the facility’s existing foam expansion capabilities with extrusion and high-pressure nitrogen saturation – the three stages of Zotefoams’ proprietary manufacturing process.
A new 54,000 square foot facility houses three extrusion lines and two high-pressure autoclaves, the first of which was commissioned in 2018.
Commenting on the announcement, Group CEO David Stirling says, “Demand for our AZOTE® polyolefin foams range continues to grow in a variety of market sectors in North America; bringing additional capacity onstream this year will ensure that we can meet our customers’ needs from a local source with all the benefits that entails.”
AZOTE® foams are manufactured from common polymers using Zotefoams’ unique process and are widely used in automotive, aviation, construction, industrial, marine, military, product protection and sports & leisure applications where lightweighting, durability, fire safety and low toxicity are key considerations. The AZOTE® range includes
- Plastazote® Foam: Closed cell, cross-linked LDPE, HDPE and blends.
- Evazote® Foam: Closed cell, cross-linked EVA copolymers
- Supazote®: Closed cell, cross-linked EMA copolymer