Production of VLF compounds supports regional demand

“We are always prepared to invest in our customers, to strengthen relationships, and provide a safe and efficient supply of innovative compounds,” says Eric Lee, RTP Company Business Manager – Structural Products. “The expansion of our facility in Monterrey demonstrates our pledge to supply our customers’ growing demand for VLF compounds with consistent high quality, short lead times, on time delivery, and exceptional local service, worldwide.” 

These additional VLF pultrusion lines in Mexico will maintain plant-to-plant consistency of compounds, which is highly desirable for OEMs and their partners in Mexico and South America who build parts and products for the global consumer goods, automotive, and other markets.   The increasing demand for VLF compounds based on polypropylene, nylon, and other engineering thermoplastics stems in part from the automotive industry’s need for lightweight material options to meet fuel efficiency regulations. RTP Company has developed VLF compounds that can be used to create injection-molded parts that rival heavier counterparts such as die cast metal alloys and parts made with short fiber compounds.

“For instance, using VLF compounds based on polypropylene rather than short fiber polyamide compounds can result in a density reduction greater than 10%,” explains Lee. “With metal replacement, the density reduction is significantly more. This is very appealing to the automotive industry, as they can reduce the overall weight of a vehicle and improve its fuel economy, and often reduce costs in doing so. By adding VLF production capacity to our Monterrey plant, we are well positioned to meet the increasing demand for compounds that provide strong, rigid, yet lightweight solutions common to many application needs.”  

With the new installation, RTP Company now manufactures VLF compounds in Mexico, Minnesota, Indiana, Germany, and China. These locations are part of the company’s global network of 12 production facilities, all of which are positioned regionally to provide global access to technical expertise and supply various thermoplastic compounds with short lead times.