Quadrant opens new plant for Plastic Composite Materials in Slovakia

Quadrant Plastic Composites (QPC), a Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. (MPI) sub-subsidiary, has built a new plant for its high-performance light-weight glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite materials (SymaLITE®) for automotive and non-automotive applications. The start of production was celebrated by an opening ceremony which took place on 20 May in Nitra, Slovakia. Thermoplastic composite materials are seeing increased demand in highly-durable automotive applications as well as in non-automotive sectors like transportation, building & construction and decorative design. Quadrant responds with this new plant to a growing demand for an increased capacity.

The new plant in Nitra is dedicated to manufacture SymaLITE® light-weight sheets that combine polypropylene (PP) and glass-fibre using Quadrant’s proven technology. With the expansion in Eastern Europe, Quadrant will add capacity to its global SymaLITE® manufacturing base with plants in Europe, North America and Asia. Quadrant operates the company under the name Quadrant Plastic Composites Slovakia s.r.o.

Molded parts manufactured from Quadrant’s SymaLITE® semi-finished sheet products are used in various components of a car. Traditional components in many cases require noise proofing solutions whereas SymaLITE® provides noise absorption properties inherently. Therefore, the production process is less complex and also the finished part weight can be reduced. Weight reduction and improved aerodynamics are key drivers of the fuel economy which both are positively influenced by the use of SymaLITE® products in automotive applications such as underbody shields and headliners.

The Opening Ceremony was attended by high-ranking MPI and Quadrant staff members as well as the President of Nitra Self-Governing Region, Mr. Milan Belica, the Head of Nitra City Administration, Mr. Igor Krska, and the Vicemayor Mr. Martin Nemky.

Mr. Takumi Ubagai, President of MPI, congratulated and said: “QPC had planned to build a new plant, with a view of setting it as a major strategic stronghold, while automobile manufacturers have been increasingly producing cars in Eastern Europe. I agreed to the plan. I expect that QPC will take proactive actions for a new model, while responding to growing demand, and will make efforts to have SymaLITE® business be prosperous. We, MPI Group, are determined to make every effort to help QPC Slovakia get things off the ground earlier than ever, and to make it grow step by step, so that it can become a company which can contribute to the local community.”

“The SymaLITE® production capacity will be strengthened significantly through the additional plant”, said Sven Welich, CEO Quadrant Plastic Composites. “The focus of our investment in Nitra is sustainability. We want to make a long-term and targeted investment, act responsibly, provide new jobs to the region of Nitra and secure lasting business success. The SymaLITE® products support the KAITEKI brand of the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation Group by making automobiles lighter and safer as well as improving the acoustic properties.”

The signs for the future are promising. Automobile production for Central and Eastern Europe is on a positive path for car makers from Europe and Asia. Sales have increased in premium segment cars in Europe. With this new location, Quadrant has a production base where the company has easy access to customers to further grow the business in the future.

Quadrant is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastic materials in the form of semi-finished products and finished parts. The company has locations in 20 countries and more than 2 000 employees. Its specialty engineering thermoplastics and composites are superior in performance to metals and other materials and are used in a wide range of applications, primarily in the capital goods industry. The company is continuously developing new areas of applications in close cooperation with industry leaders in a broad variety of customer markets. The Quadrant Group is well prepared to further expand its market leadership position.

Source: Quadrant