The expansion involves Owens Corning adding glass fibre knitting equipment at its facility in Rio Claro, northwest of São Paulo in Brazil. This is the third expansion of capacity since the plant was established three years ago. A portion of the new capacity began production in September; the balance will be installed by the end of 2009.
According to Owens Corning, demand for glass fibre technical fabrics in Brazil is growing, driven by the success of wind turbine blade fabricators based in the region. Wind turbine blades made in Brazil are used in the local market and also exported.
“This latest expansion to our fabric knitting capacity highlights our strategy to support market growth and emphasises our commitment to help our Latin America customers grow and succeed both locally and globally,” says Beth Rettig, OCV™ Technical Fabrics general manager, Americas.
Owens Corning in Brazil
OCV™ Reinforcements and OCV Technical Fabrics serve the Brazilian market from two facilities in the state of São Paulo – one making knitted fabrics and the other the company’s patented Advantex® glass fibre reinforcements.
Owens Corning has produced glass fibre reinforcements in Brazil for many years. In July 2006 it established its first facility for technical fabrics, including woven, stitched and knitted products. Fabric capacity was doubled in 2007, and in 2008 the company moved the operations to a new facility and doubled capacity again. Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) is headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, USA.