DuPont Performance Materials launches operations at Europe’s first Zytel® HTN polymer production facility

In the presence of the Minister of Economic Affairs of North-Rhine Westphalia and several other esteemed guests, DuPont Performance Materials (DPM) officially launched the production of DuPont™ Zytel® HTN polymer at its Uentrop facility in Hamm, Germany. The decision to invest in production capacity of this key material in Europe for the first time reflects the company’s commitment to the polyamide industry and to the European market.

By strengthening its Zytel® HTN capacity, DPM is addressing a growing global demand for lightweight materials in automotive, electrical and consumer electronics markets. Zytel® HTN is a cost-effective and high-performance family of polyamides, designed to reduce weight and retain stiffness, improve strength and resist high-temperatures, moisture and chemicals. It has the potential to be a game-changer when it comes to enhancing durability of key components while reducing fossil fuel dependency in different sectors.

Rudy van Engen, EMEA Business Director for DuPont Performance Materials, congratulated Uentrop site leader René de Jonge and his team, “The Uentrop team did a fantastic job in preparing the site for operations. Moving production to such a strategic location will help us meet customer and market demands for this innovative and versatile material in the most efficient way possible.”

Minister of Economic Affairs of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Garrelt Duin, said, “The automotive industry plays a vital role in the economy of North Rhine-Westphalia and one third of Germany’s automotive component suppliers are located here. We welcome DuPont’s commitment to its European customers and see huge potential for innovation.”

Mr. Martin Löckmann, representative of the Economic Development Hamm, was also present at the launch, and added, “DuPont has made a signification contribution to the local economy for over half a century. Hamm is proud to continue to be home to a production site with such a strong appetite for change and innovation.”

DPM has had a presence in North Rhine-Westphalia for more than fifty years and the site in Uentrop is one of its largest ventures outside the United States. Only last year, DPM increased production capacity of its Zytel® PA 66 and PA 6 compounds by 20 percent at Uentrop.

The new Zytel® HTN polymer production facility is the first of its kind in Europe. Upgrading polymerization in DPM’s customers’ backyard reflects its dedication to working closely with European industry partners throughout the value chain. As Germany is one of the world’s largest automotive markets, the launch of local Zytel® HTN polymer production helps consolidate DPM’s investment in the region and gets closer to the European automotive value chain players.

Source: DuPont