The Loparex Group has announced the expansion of its European operation for release liner production. According to the company, the expansion is part of an ongoing program of global investments intended to enhance Loparex Group’s ability to serve the global release liner market. The company’s Apeldoorn production facility in The Netherlands will be expanded to increase capacity and capability. The company will install a new, high-speed silicone coating line and will make upgrades to its existing silicone coating lines and poly-coating extrusion line. The expansion is expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2012.

“Today’s converting and end-use markets are demanding higher levels of performance, versatility, and efficiencies from release liners, and we want to continue to support our customers with the advanced products they need,” says Theo Wilting, managing director of Loparex Europe. “Every segment – whether it is pressure-sensitive graphic arts, specialty tapes, or medical disposables – has its own particular requirements, and new markets outside the traditional pressure-sensitive applications are developing fast. The expanded European facility will increase Loparex’s ability to provide the industry’s most versatile portfolio of release liners and films, along with product development and technical service to serve our European and global customer base. We will be positioned to become a true one-stop shop for our customers, and more than ready to meet the needs of the growing global market.”

This is the fourth major investment in capacity expansion undertaken by the Loparex Group in recent years. The Kaygee-Loparex joint venture in India installed a new silicone coating line and slitters in 2009. The Group’s capacity at its Guangzhou, China, facility was increased with a new silicone coating line in early 2011. In the third quarter of 2011, Loparex announced a new production plant in Thailand, which will be fully operational by the end of 2012.

For more information, visit www.loparex.com.