New logistics center for Makrolon and polycarbonate blends in Krefeld-Uerdingen
Expansion of the global compounding network
Bayer MaterialScience AG is investing comprehensively in expansion of the global compounding network to offer customers a better service with optimized logistics processes. The Krefeld-Uerdingen site is a focus for investment, where a new logistics center is being constructed for storing, mixing and packing Makrolon® and the polycarbonate blends Bayblend® and Makroblend®. "The new silo installation for direct filling is a technological milestone. It enables particularly gentle mixing, dust removal and packing of granules, coupled with extremely high material throughput, which benefits both product quality and supply flexibility," explained Dr. Christoph Schwemler, head of the Makrolon® compounding section in Krefeld-Uerdingen. The initial expansion phase is scheduled to kick off at the end of 2008. The silo has an annual capacity of 130,000 metric tons, which can be extended to 180,000 metric tons. Investment in Krefeld-Uerdingen amounts to around EUR 20 million.
The new logistics facilities are being built in the immediate vicinity of the Makrolon® compounding plant. Each production line is assigned to a filling unit, with granules being transported to blending silos using processes that minimize dust buildup in the granules. Mobile filling stations are used for packing 25 kg bags and bulk containers. "We can therefore respond quickly and flexibly to orders and supply our customers reliably even in peak periods," says Schwemler. The filling procedure is particularly gentle on the product as it works through the use of gravity.
Bayer MaterialScience will also build a compounding facility in southern China for Makrolon® and its blends and this will begin production in the first half of 2008. In addition, construction of a compounding center is planned at the new site in New Delhi (India) for the end of 2008. A color competence center will be linked up to both plants, as is the case with the existing compounding facilities in Krefeld-Uerdingen, Filago (Italy), Newark (Ohio, U.S.), Shanghai (China) and Map Ta Phut (Thailand).
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