DuPont consolidates Hytrel production in Luxembourg
DuPont has completed the first phase of the consolidation of its DuPont(TM) Hytrel® thermoplastic polyester elastomer production in Europe with the inauguration of a new compounding unit in Luxembourg at the end of September 2007. The new line is part of a ninemillion-dollar investment project by the company to integrate the entire Hytrel® production chain - from polymerization to compounding and delivery of the finished product to customers - at its Luxembourg site for greater production efficiencies, reduced environmental impact and improved customer service. The plant expansion has also resulted in the creation of eleven new jobs at DuPont Luxembourg.
The compounding of Hytrel® had previously been carried out in Mechelen, Belgium - requiring the annual scheduling of 300 truck journeys, over a distance of 200 kilometers, to transport the polymerized material from Luxembourg to Mechelen for final processing. Direct environmental benefits of DuPont's new consolidated approach are the elimination of most handling and transportation requirements as well as a considerable reduction in packaging material consumption and disposal. The company also hopes to achieve production synergies through the integration of all processes at a single site. Further targeted benefits include increased operational flexibility and enhanced customer service.
The new compounding line started operation in April 2007, when it produced product samples which underwent extensive internal testing before approval by DuPont customers. Commercial production of Hytrel® in Luxembourg started in October 2007, while a second line is scheduled for 2008.
Other news from the department manufacturing
