Albis Plastics inaugurates compounding plant in Duncan, South Carolina

Albis Plastics Corporation officially inaugurated its new production facility on August 31st, 2017 following an earlier start of production in July 2017. The plant possesses a nameplate capacity of approximately 30 million lbs. per year. The portfolio comprises: polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and PC/ABS compounds.

“With this new manufacturing plant we are delivering on our promise to support our customers and business partners on a global basis, while supplying them with products out of local production“, says Stefan Fuhlendorf, Regional Sales Director Americas for Albis Plastics. So far Albis had products for the North American market produced by a local tolling partner or imported from Europe. The new plant will give the company an even higher degree of flexibility with regards to product availability and lead times.

t the same time it significantly increases the company’s presence in the NAFTA region. “Duncan is an ideal location due to South Carolina being an important hub of the automotive industry. It provides us with a very good access to global OEMs and their suppliers in the US as well as in Mexico“, according to Fuhlendorf.

So far the total investment at the Duncan facility has amounted to around $14 million. The production plant offers manufacturing capabilities according to global product specifications. Moreover, Albis has comparable manufacturing equipment as well as a certification of the quality management system according to IATF 16949 in place at all manufacturing sites worldwide – in Duncan this is planned for the first quarter of 2018.

Albis has been active on the North American market since 1968 and currently employs close to 100 employees in the Americas region. Based on the company’s ambitious growth plans Albis expects to add up to 60 jobs at the Duncan site within the next few years. Furthermore ALBIS‘ presence in the region includes a subsidiary in Monterrey, Mexico, Albis Plastic Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.

Albis produces plastic compounds and masterbatches at six sites globally; Hamburg (Germany), Zülpich (Germany), Obernburg (Germany), Manchester (UK), Humenné (Slovakia) and Changshu (China). In addition Albis is the majority partner in Albis Barnet Polymers LLC, a recently established joint venture with William Barnet & Son, which is also headquartered in Duncan. In North America Albis Barnet Polymers LLC manufactures the Altech Eco range of recycled compounds based on post-industrial raw materials.