Global polymer manufacturer Covestro has announced a significant expansion of its production facility in Hebron, Ohio, with an investment in the low triple-digit million Euro range. The investment will fund the construction of multiple new production lines and supporting infrastructure dedicated to manufacturing customized polycarbonate compounds and blends.

Construction of the new production lines is slated to begin in 2025, with operations expected to commence by the end of 2026.

The move underscores Covestro's "Sustainable Growth" strategy, focusing on meeting customer demand for specialized polycarbonate materials and solidifying its position as a leading provider in North America. By producing within the region, Covestro aims to enhance supply chain reliability and strengthen customer relationships.

This polycarbonate production capacity expansion will address the increasing need for high-quality materials across several key industries in North America, including automotive, electronics, and healthcare. These sectors require materials with specific properties and consistent quality, a demand that Covestro aims to meet with its expanded production capabilities.

Covestro has also established an R&D center in Pittsburgh. The Hebron expansion will foster closer collaboration between the production facility and the R&D center, facilitating the seamless transfer of technology from laboratory research to industrial-scale production. This synergy is expected to accelerate innovation and support key transformative trends such as the electrification and automation of mobility, sustainable development initiatives, and the ongoing digitalization of industries.

"This investment in our U.S. compounding plant is an important component of our 'Sustainable Growth' strategy," stated Thorsten Dreier, CTO of Covestro. "With this expansion, we can meet our customers' growing demand for specialized polycarbonate materials, grow together with our customers, and strengthen our position as a leading provider of polycarbonate materials in North America. The move also aligns with our strategy to produce in the region for the region, to manufacture close to our customers and ensure reliable supply."

Lily Wang, head of the Engineering Plastics Business Entity said, "To be successful in these markets, you need the right portfolio, consistent quality, and supply reliability, as well as solution-oriented technical expertise," Wang explained. "The expanded production capacity for differentiated polycarbonates enables us to better serve our customers' complex needs for high-quality, high-tech materials with individualized properties.”

Samir Hifri, chairman and president of Covestro LLC, said, "This investment, which follows our recent announcement of an almost 40 million Euro investment in our R&D capabilities in Pittsburgh, underscores how critical our U.S. sites and the U.S. market are to Covestro’s global strategy," Hifri said.