Tucker, Georgia-based Lehigh Technologies, a specialty chemicals company that produces raw materials from end-of-life tires and rubber scrap, says it has formed a joint venture with HERA Holding, a waste-to-resources company based in Barcelona, to construct and operate what the partners call the first micronized rubber powder (MRP) production facility in Europe.
The joint venture, Lehigh Spain, is building a production facility in Murillo del Fruto, Spain, to meet what Lehigh calls growing demand for MRP from industrial customers in the European Union and neighbouring regions. Lehigh Spain also will be asked to develop new markets for the PolyDyne and MicroDyne product lines, designed to provide "high-performance, low-cost, sustainable raw materials for applications in the tire, asphalt and other industrial end uses."
Lehigh and HERA Holding began developing the market for MRP in Europe in 2013. In 2015, Lehigh opened its European location in Barcelona and the firm says the partnership is already selling products into six countries in the region. Under the new joint venture structure, HERA Holding is now a shareholder in Lehigh Spain.
“HERA’s shared vision for creating sustainable solutions makes them an ideal partner for Lehigh’s next phase of international expansion,” says Alan Barton, CEO of Lehigh Technologies. “We are seeing a strong market reception for MRP as companies learn that micronized rubber powder delivers a strong value proposition, and this new joint venture marks a critical step to meet that rapidly growing demand.”
The MRP plant will use Lehigh technology that has been running in the United States since 2006, with products from that plant having been shipped to more than 18 countries around the world. The Spanish plant project is underway, and the first commercial shipments are expected by the end of the first quarter of 2017.
“The Lehigh partnership is a strong match for HERA’s strategy to develop new technologies that can enable a more sustainable world,” says Joan Griñó, CEO of HERA Holding. “Moreover, Lehigh has the best team in the industry and a market-driven approach that fits well with HERA. MRP represents a high-growth initiative for HERA, and we are committed to working together to extend our leadership across the region.”
Lehigh Spain will service the entire Europe, Middle East and Africa region, including Russia. If demand for MRP increases across the region, manufacturing capacity can be expanded as needed to ensure reliable supply, the company says.
The joint venture, Lehigh Spain, is building a production facility in Murillo del Fruto, Spain, to meet what Lehigh calls growing demand for MRP from industrial customers in the European Union and neighbouring regions. Lehigh Spain also will be asked to develop new markets for the PolyDyne and MicroDyne product lines, designed to provide "high-performance, low-cost, sustainable raw materials for applications in the tire, asphalt and other industrial end uses."
Lehigh and HERA Holding began developing the market for MRP in Europe in 2013. In 2015, Lehigh opened its European location in Barcelona and the firm says the partnership is already selling products into six countries in the region. Under the new joint venture structure, HERA Holding is now a shareholder in Lehigh Spain.
“HERA’s shared vision for creating sustainable solutions makes them an ideal partner for Lehigh’s next phase of international expansion,” says Alan Barton, CEO of Lehigh Technologies. “We are seeing a strong market reception for MRP as companies learn that micronized rubber powder delivers a strong value proposition, and this new joint venture marks a critical step to meet that rapidly growing demand.”
The MRP plant will use Lehigh technology that has been running in the United States since 2006, with products from that plant having been shipped to more than 18 countries around the world. The Spanish plant project is underway, and the first commercial shipments are expected by the end of the first quarter of 2017.
“The Lehigh partnership is a strong match for HERA’s strategy to develop new technologies that can enable a more sustainable world,” says Joan Griñó, CEO of HERA Holding. “Moreover, Lehigh has the best team in the industry and a market-driven approach that fits well with HERA. MRP represents a high-growth initiative for HERA, and we are committed to working together to extend our leadership across the region.”
Lehigh Spain will service the entire Europe, Middle East and Africa region, including Russia. If demand for MRP increases across the region, manufacturing capacity can be expanded as needed to ensure reliable supply, the company says.
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