Planned expansion includes new furnace to support next generation of reinforced thermoplastic composites.

The increased growth in use of glass fibers in engineered thermoplastic composites convinced Colorado-based Johns-Manville to expand its glass fiber operations plant in Etowah, Tenn.

The planned expansion includes a new furnace, due to start up in mid-2016, to support the next generation of reinforced thermoplastic composites, such as polyamides, polyesters and polypropylenes used in automotive, electrical and consumer applications.

“The composites industry is growing steadily, and we are convinced that current and future industry trends will continue to drive increasing demand for glass fiber products,” says Brian Sapp, global fibers business director for JM Engineered Products. “We are making this investment to support our customers’ plans for growth.”

Source: Johns-Manville