Polykemi Plans 50% Expansion in the United States (US) to Meet Growing Demand in Construction and Automotive Industries

Swedish composite material manufacturer Polykemi Group plans to increase the capacity of its US plant by 50% by 2027, driven mainly by the unexpectedly strong growth of the North American market.

The company launched production at its Gastonia plant in North Carolina in mid-2023 and has since recruited new sales and support personnel in the United States and Mexico. The plant currently operates two extrusion production lines, with a total annual capacity of approximately 7,000 tons. The company plans to add a third production line as early as 2026.

"From the current situation, it is highly likely to be realized," said Johan Hugoson, CEO of Polykemi USA.

The new recruits include Sonny Nos and Joon Park in the U.S. sales department, as well as Octavio Ibarra Magallon in the customer support department at Polykemi Mexico. Nos will be responsible for the business in the southeastern region of the United States, while Park will serve Korean automotive clients in the U.S. market.

Hugoson stated that strong demand not only comes from international customers already familiar with Polykemi but also from some unexpected areas, such as the flood control and drainage sector in the construction industry. Additionally, the speed at which the company has entered the supply chain of major U.S. automakers has also exceeded expectations.

In early 2024, Polykemi established a sales office in Mexico to support business growth in the region. The factory in North Carolina is the company's largest investment to date, primarily producing customized compounds based on virgin and recycled materials.