PlastiComp™, Inc. is now offering long fiber pellets to its customers, company President and CEO Steve Bowen announced today.

Using proprietary production technology, PlastiComp™, Inc. is offering LF pellets in most thermoplastic matrices reinforced with glass, Aramid, carbon and other continuous fibers. Initial production is now underway at PlastiComp’s Winona, Minnesota facility, and additional capacity is planned for 2005.

Long fiber pellet capabilities are complementary to PlastiComp’s exclusive Pushtrusion® Direct In-Line Compounding technology, which provides machinery and expertise to combine fiber and molten polymers directly in-line as parts are formed.

“The high volume molders are typically interested in Pushtrusion®, but they often have lower volume applications where it may be more economical to use LF pellets,” said Bowen. “Other molders have asked PlastiComp™, Inc. to supply specialty compounds that are not available from the large volume LF pellet suppliers."

“It is not uncommon to see both long fiber pellet and direct in-line compounding interest from our customers. Both processes have merits. Our strategy is to support the success of our customers with quality materials, technology and service,” continued Bowen.

Long fiber technology is not new to PlastiComp. From 1984 to 1999, Bowen was President and CEO of the Celstran business of Ticona. He formed PlastiComp in 2003 to meet the growing market demand for long fiber technology. Bowen has also worked with Ron Hawley, founder of Polymer Composities, Inc., Composite Products, Inc. and Woodshed Technologies. At PCI, Bowen and Hawley developed technology that provided the foundation for the company to grow into the world’s largest supplier of long fiber pellets. Hoechst Celanese acquired PCI in 1988.

“There is a natural interest for our customers to obtain LF pellets from PlastiComp™, Inc. We are the only global supplier to offer direct in-line compounding expertise, plus pelletized materials. We understand the business and want to be measured by the success of our customers,” continued Bowen.


About PlastiComp

PlastiComp, Inc. is unique in providing both long fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) technology and direct long fiber reinforced thermoplastic (D-LFT) technology to global customers. Complet® composite pellets provide a single pellet solution for customers with stringent requirements and rapid speed to market demands. In contrast, Pushtrusion® direct in-line compounding offers a complementary approach by providing substantial savings compared to precompounded thermoplastic composite pellets. PlastiComp also offers advanced contract molding along with research and development including formula development, material and part testing, and evaluation.

Complet® and Pushtrusion are registered trademarks of PlastiComp, Inc.


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