With its new production unit off to a good start, doubling capacity at its industrial facilities in Saint-Avold (Moselle, France), Altuglas International is reinforcing its position as European leader in cast acrylic sheet, marketed under the Altuglas® trademark.

A new cast acrylic sheet production line for Altuglas International, subsidiary of the Arkema Group, has got off to a good start at its Saint-Avold site. This follows reorganization of Altuglas International’s European manufacturing footprint, which now has a highly efficient facility on a European scale. Designed for highest quality production, this new unit has the flexibility to switch between long runs of standard grades and specialty grades with high added value.

Setting up the new production unit has helped boost employment at the Saint-Avold works.

Didier Leblanc, Altuglas International’s Director of European Sheet Business, says: "This new unit enables us to consolidate our cast sheet business and build on the reputation of the Altuglas® brand name in Europe. The Saint-Avold plant’s geographical position is a major asset in providing a service to customers throughout Europe and the Middle East."

Altuglas® cast acrylic sheet is marketed mainly for visual communications (signs, illuminated displays, shop fittings, display cases, etc), sanitary ware (such as baths), designer items for the building industry as well as urban fittings. 

Altuglas International, an Arkema subsidiary, markets 20% of world production of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) in the form of acrylic sheet and resin. In this sector, the company operates at eight production sites around the world. Its trademarks are Plexiglas® in the Americas and Altuglas® throughout the rest of the world.

A global chemical player, Arkema consists of 3 coherent and related business segments: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Present in over 40 countries with 17,000 employees, Arkema achieves sales of 5.7 billion euros. With its 6 research centers in France, the United States and Japan, and internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.