Lehigh Technologies Starts Up New Rubber Powder Plant
July 18, 2018
Specialty chemicals firm Lehigh Technologies began production at its new Murillo el Fruto manufacturing plant in Europe, expanding its capacity for micronized rubber powder (MRP), the company announced in a press release Monday.
Located in Navarra, Spain, the facility uses the firm’s cryogenic turbo mill technology to produce up to 10,000 MT/yr of MRP. A company operated by HERA Holding that is co-located at the facility, Indugarbi NFU, will provide granulate feedstock used for the production of the rubber powder.
“Demand for Lehigh’s products is increasing rapidly and this new plant comes at the perfect time to support the growth,” said Lluis Molina, general manager of Lehigh Spain, in the release. “The Murillo plant is the next step in Lehigh’s mission to commercialize MRP for customers in a wide range of performance-driven markets.”
The Navarra plant is Lehigh Technology’s first manufacturing site outside of the U.S., and features the same equipment and layout as its Tucker, GA facility to ensure product consistency.
Lehigh commissioned the plant in June 2016. Construction on the project was carried out by Jex Engineering. Air Products and the Dennis Group also supported the opening of the facility.
“I’m very proud of the international team that made this project happen,” Jason Stravinski, vice president of operations at Lehigh, said in a statement. “Engineers from Lehigh U.S., Lehigh Spain, and HERA Holding all worked together with the Jex project team to complete the project on time and on budget. We expect this plant to be a crucial component to meeting the rising demand for green chemicals in Europe and beyond.”
MRP produced at the plant in Spain will be used by the bitumen, tire, coatings, construction, and polyurethanes industries in Europe and the Middle East, according to the company.
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