MOSCOW (MRC) -- Berry Global Group (Evansville, Indiana) says it will establish its first meltblown nonwoven fabric production line in South America by the first quarter of 2021, said Chemweek.
The latest capital investment in its worldwide meltblown manufacturing capacity, based on its Meltex technology, will be made to support continued demand for health and wellness products such as face masks, it says. The investment will add more than 400 metric tons of meltblown nonwoven material to the region, which will enable production of over 500 million surgical-grade masks per year, according to the company.
The new asset will be operational in the first quarter of next year and be sited at an existing company production facility, although it does not clarify the country location. The company has existing premises in Brazil and Argentina, according to its website. The new line will focus on the production of materials for ASTM L2, L3, and N95 masks, and will be upgraded with Berry’s patented charging technology post-installation, it says.
“As customers prepare for future outbreaks or protection demands, we will be ready to serve,” says Daniel Guerrero, executive vice president and general manager/Latin America in Berry’s health, hygiene, and specialties segment.
Earlier this week Berry revealed plans to invest USD8 million to expand production capacity of spunmelt nonwovens at its Statesville, North Carolina, facility. Earlier in May it also said it would expand its melt-blown nonwovens capacity in Europe with the addition of a new production line in Germany to help meet demand for protective face masks due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, in addition to announcing in April an upgrade to a melt-blown production line at its manufacturing facility in Biesheim, France.
As MRC informed earlier, Berry Global Group announced a collaboration with SABIC to drive the innovation and use of polyolefin resins made from chemical recycling. The companies boast a long partnership and focus on their shared values of sustainability and promotion of a circular economy. The partners will focus on innovation and use of polyolefin resins from chemical recycling. The move is a part of Berry’s sustainability strategy Impact 2025 announced earlier this year.
According to a MRC's DataScope report, April PP imports to Ukraine decreased to 8,100 tonnes under the pressure of quarantine restrictions due to coronavirus against 10,500 tonnes a month earlier.Due to the partial shutdown of capacities, local companies have seriously reduced purchases of all types of propylene polymers. Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 39,100 tonnes in January-April 2020, compared to 45,000 tonnes a year earlier.
Only supplies of stat propylene copolymers (PP random copolymers) increased, while the demand for propylene polymers decreased.
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