Extrusion International 6-2025

14 Extrusion International 6/2025 INDUSTRY NEWS Update on New Capacity Expansions for COC, POM, and LCP at K Show Announced Polyplastics provided an update on new capacity expansions for its polyoxymethylene (POM), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and cyclic ole- n copolymer (COC) materials at the K 2025 exhibition. The company has made signi cant investments to meet the supply needs of its custom- ers throughout the world. TOPAS COC Plant Nears Completion in Germany Construction of a new COC pro- duction facility in Leuna, Germany, is nearly complete. Commercial start-up of the new 25,000-ton/yr plant is expected by second quarter 2026. The new plant will more than double the company’s current out- put and meet the growing global demand for Polyplastics’ TOPAS ® COC products. It will be operated by local Polyplastics subsidiary TOPAS Advanced Polymers GmbH. “This expansion is a major step forward in the long-term growth track of TOPAS ® COC,” said Hideka- zu Kitayama, managing director of Polyplastics Europe GmbH. “The new plant will continue to position us as a reliable supplier for the pack- aging and healthcare sectors while establishing sustainable solutions for a truly circular economy.” The Leuna facility is situated on a 30,000-sq-meter site which provides ample space for future capacity ex- pansions. Initially, it will produce several low-Tg grades for supply to all global regions. Polyplastics’ existing COC produc- tion plant is located in Oberhausen, Germany, about 400 kilometers west of Leuna. Since the opening of the Oberhausen plant in September 2000, a broad range of applications for TOPAS ® COC has been devel- oped. The material has become a critical component in many medical devices based on its outstanding pu- rity and glass-like properties. The new capacity will play a key role in meeting increased demand for such applications as insulin pumps and diagnostic components while also enabling sustainable packaging solutions. In packaging products, TO- PAS ® COC raises the performance of commodity polyole ns (polyethylene for example), enabling the develop- ment of simpler, more recyclable and sustainable solutions. Mono-material lm structures based on PE and en - hanced with TOPAS ® COC are recy- clable as PE, unlike multi-material solutions using layers of PET or other PE-incompatible plastics. TOPAS ® COC has been certi ed as a recy - clable material by a number of Euro- pean independent testing labs, e.g. Institute cyclos-HTP, and in the US has received APR recognition for use in lms andHDPE bottle applications. Expansion of DURACON ® POM Production Capacity in China In November 2024, Polyplastics commenced commercial opera- tions at its newly established DURA- CON® POM manufacturing plant in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China (Phase 1: annual capacity of 90,000 tons). This marks a major step to- ward meeting the strong domestic demand in China. As of March 2026, the plant is expected to be operat- ing at full capacity, supplemented by continued shipments from Ma- laysia and the Fuji Plant in Japan. To support the Chinese market’s annual growth rate of 3-4%, plans for a Phase 2 expansion are under- way, aiming to further increase the local production ratio. In scal year 2027, Phase 2 of the Nantong plant (with an additional annual capacity of 60,000 tons) is sched- uled to begin operations, bringing the total POM production capacity in China to 150,000 tons per year. This expansion will allow Malaysia- produced POM, previously sup- plied to China, to be redirected to markets in India, ASEAN, and the West. Polyplastics is also invest- ing in energy-ef cient production facilities and conducting research into environmentally conscious raw materials and fuels, contributing to a more sustainable society. Establishing Integrated LAPEROS ® LCP Production in Taiwan Meanwhile, a new LAPEROS® LCP plant with an annual capacity of 5,000 tons began operations in Tai- wan in February 2025. With demand recovering – particularly in the elec- tronics devices sector – Polyplastics plans to increase LCP sales volume by approximately 15% in scal year 2026. The plant is scheduled to reach full operation within the rst quarter of scal year 2026, enabling an integrated production system with compounding in Taiwan. This setup is expected to shorten lead times and reduce inventory levels. In scal year 2027, Polyplastics plans to introduce new polymers for high-performance electronic devices that support faster data transmis- sion. Through enhanced perfor- mance and expanded applications of LCP, the company aims to contribute to the advancement of next-genera- tion communication technologies. The Polyplastics Group, www.polyplastics-global.com TOPAS Advanced Polymers GmbH topas.com