Teknor Apex Launches Thermoplastics Division

Teknor Apex Launches Thermoplastics Division

Materials supplier Teknor Apex (Pawtucket, RI) has created a new division to deal exclusively with the compounding of custom and standard thermoplastic elastomers. The Thermoplastic Elastomer Div. will function independently of other Teknor Apex businesses. Company officials believe that the creation of this new unit will allow them to provide customers with total system support. As part of this support, Teknor Apex will work with customers through all stages of developing an elastomer application, including application engineering, performance testing, and process optimization. According to business manager Suresh Swaminathan, "the 'total system' embraces the entire process of developing an application and involves...working with designers, toolmakers, processors, and OEMs." An increased international presence is also cited as a benefit of the new division.

An expansion in personnel, production capacity, and research capabilities accompanies the launch. A new team of market specialists will provide information on specific end product markets. Two twin-screw compounding lines will augment manufacturing capabilities at the company's plant in Henderson, KY. Cooperative ventures with Uniroyal Chemical (Middlebury, CT) and Dupont Packaging (Markham, ON, Canada) will also help to develop new products.

Zachary Turke