Polykemi is expanding its presence in North America in response to rising demand for customized plastic compounds. Following the start of US production in mid 2023, the company reports steady progress, including earlier than planned recruitment for key sales and customer support roles and preparations for additional capacity. The US plant currently operates two extruder lines with a combined annual output of around 7,000 US tons. Based on the present order outlook, Polykemi is planning for a third extruder that would lift capacity by roughly 50 percent, with installation targeted for 2027 if planning begins in 2026. The ramp-up reflects both expected traction with international accounts and new opportunities in segments the company had not initially targeted, notably construction applications such as flood and stormwater protection. In parallel, Polykemi Mexico is adding resources to improve service for customers across the region. While the company notes it remains relatively unknown in North America, it is leveraging the groundwork of the Polykemi Group in Europe and China to extend collaborations with global customers that already source compounds in those regions. Early engagement with major US vehicle manufacturers has further accelerated the pipeline, allowing the organization to move faster than originally planned in both commercial coverage and production capacity.
Recruitment strengthens North American team
The North American organization is being reinforced with three new hires. In the United States, Sonny Nos and Joon Park join the sales department. According to the company, Nos brings extensive industry experience and will focus on new customer acquisition in the Southeastern US. Park will work with South Korean customers and end customers in the United States, in particular the automotive sector. In Mexico, Octavio Ibarra Magallon joins customer support to assist Fernando González, Director General, and sales staff in the US.
Commenting on the additions, Johan Hugoson, CEO Polykemi USA, said: "Sonny and Joon join us with a great deal of experience from the plastics industry, and Octavio has just graduated from University. Together they will significantly strengthen our position and boost our availability for customers throughout North America. Being able to reinforce our operation in this way after little more than two years is truly satisfying."
The projected expansion of the current two extruder lines with an additional line will probably begin as early as next year, and Sonny Nos is one of the new employees who will help ensure the company’s continued growth.
Market drivers and early traction
The company attributes its faster than expected progress to preparatory work carried out by the Polykemi Group in Europe and China and to the ability to extend existing international customer relationships into the US. Hugoson noted: "We’re still quite unknown in the North American market, but all the preparatory work we’ve done in the Polykemi Group in Europe and China has been a great help. We’ve been able to expand our collaborations in the USA with the international customers we already have relationships with in other countries. Shortly after opening in the U.S., we also received inquiries from a number of manufacturers of for example flood and stormwater protection. This was not something we expected, and the construction industry quickly became a large and exciting segment to work with."
He added: "Most exciting of all is our having established good contacts with major, well-known vehicle manufacturers in the US so soon. It was something we wanted to do but hadn’t dared hope would happen so quickly."
Polykemi produces customized plastic compounds from virgin and recycled raw materials at its five production units around the world.
Capacity plan for a third extruder line
Polykemi reports that its US factory currently operates two extruder lines with an annual capacity of about 7,000 US tons. The company intends to plan for an additional extruder to meet growing demand for customized compounds, which would represent a significant capacity increase by 2027.
Hugoson said: "To be honest, I think we can begin planning for the next extruder as early as 2026, which would mean installation and start-up in 2027. The way things are going now, it looks like a serious possibility."
The factory has grown continuously since its start-up in 2023, and it now plans to increase production capacity by 2027.
