DuPont to double US capacity for Tedlar films

02 September 2008 16:29  [Source: ICIS news]

TORONTO (ICIS news)--DuPont plans to more than double capacity for its Tedlar films by late 2009 to meet growing demand from the photovoltaic industry, it said on Tuesday.

 

Scope and site selection work were under way with project start-up targeted for late 2009, pending final project approval, the company said without disclosing capacity details, location or investment sums.

 

DuPont’s Tedlar films are an essential component of photovoltaic backsheets, it said.

 

"The photovoltaic industry is in the midst of a substantial surge globally, and the demand for solar energy continues to increase," said Cynthia Green, vice-president and general manager of DuPont Fluoroproducts.

 

"This project underscores our commitment to sustainability and providing products that deliver clean, renewable energy for people around the world.”

 

DuPont anticipated 50% annual growth in the photovoltaic market in coming years and expected its sales of several product lines into the photovoltaic industry to exceed $1bn (€680m) within the next five years, it said.

 

The company makes the films at plants in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Louisville in Kentucky, Buffalo in New York and Towanda in Pennsylvania.

 

In related news, a Kentucky business journal reported last week that DuPont was considering increasing Tedlar capacity at Louisville, investing as much as $178m.

 

A DuPont spokesperson had no comment on the Louisville report when contacted by ICIS news.

 

($1 = €0.68)

 

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By: Stefan Baumgarten
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