May 20, 2013 – PolyOne GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers, a global leader in high-performance, custom-formulated thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) solutions, announced at Feiplastic 2013 the installation of new state-of-the-art TPE production capabilities in South America.

Located at PolyOne’s facility in Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil, these new capabilities – operational in June – will significantly reduce the amount of lead time required to serve South American customers and Brazil’s rapidly growing economy. Further, they will enhance the Company’s ability to support global OEMs by enabling local product trialing, development and production.

“As one of the first global TPE suppliers to offer specialty TPE solutions and technical support locally within Brazil, PolyOne is dedicated to helping its customers in the region penetrate new markets, become more competitive, improve their speed to commercialization and successfully grow their businesses,” said Walter Ripple, general manager, PolyOne GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers. “Our new local capabilities enable us to increase responsiveness, flexibility and TPE customization options. Customers can expect the same high standards for quality, consistency and performance for which our materials are known globally.”

Target growth markets include transportation, healthcare, consumer goods and packaging.

The new manufacturing capability represents the Company’s continuing commitment to Brazil and the greater South American market, which began with the 2011 acquisition of Uniplen Indústria de Polímeros Ltda. (Uniplen), a leading Brazilian producer of specialty engineered materials and distributor of thermoplastics. PolyOne GLS has been serving customers in South America for more than a decade. This expanded geographic footprint is consistent with its dedication to providing specialty TPE solutions to customers anywhere in the world.

Source: PolyOne