Feb 13 2007
The Films Business of ExxonMobil Chemical today announced plans to significantly increase production of specialty oriented polypropylene (OPP) films in LaGrange, Georgia.
The company will upgrade the LaGrange facility to increase its North American capacity for multi-layer white OPP films. The multimillion dollar investment will allow the company to satisfy the rapid growth in demand for specialty OPP films, such as OPPalyte™ white opaque film for candy cold-seal applications, OPPalyte™ WOS-2 and STW white opaque films for ice cream novelty applications and Label-Lyte™ films for wet glue and pressure sensitive labeling.
"Our focus is to use technologies developed and refined by ExxonMobil Chemical over the past 35 years to produce packaging and labeling films that others cannot," said Paul Payne, global manufacturing manager for the Films Business. "It is what converters and leading brand owners have come to expect from our company, and we are committed to delivering on this expectation."
ExxonMobil Chemical's white opaque OPP films, each specifically tailored for targeted applications, have earned a reputation for outstanding performance that continues to fuel growth in the confectionary and ice cream markets. OPPalyte HM film, to be produced on the upgraded facility at LaGrange, utilizes a proprietary multi-layer technology to achieve exceptional cold seal adhesion. The company's OPPalyte WOS-2 and STW films use proprietary multi-layer designs to provide optimal performance on multilane packaging machines commonly used for ice cream novelties.
This current upgrade is a continuation of ExxonMobil Chemical's strategy to invest in specialty assets for its OPP films business. Since 2002, the company has added two new state-of-the-art orienters, a new coater and two new metallizers in its affiliated worldwide OPP film manufacturing facilities. Additionally, the company continues to upgrade existing assets like at LaGrange.