EoW March 2007

corporate news

New wire drawing plant

Daikin expansion doubles capacity in l Alabama, USA

Ugitech is to build a new wire drawing plant in Brumby, eastern Germany near the border with the Czech Republic. This new unit will produce roughly 5,000 tons of technical products and commodities (wires for welding and springs, as well as bright wires). The plant will strengthen Ugitech’s position in the stainless steel and alloy wire market, and will reinforce the activities of the French and German units already operating in Bourg-en-Bresse, Brionne, Imphy and Reichshof. With a surface area of 5,000m², the Brumby wire drawing unit will house approximately 10 main production machines (drawing machines and annealing furnaces) and will employ a staff of around 70. This unit is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2008.

Daikin has doubled its capacity after the successful start-up of its ETFE expansion in Decatur, Alabama. The expansion demonstrates the company’s commitment as the largest US manufacturer of Ethylene – Tetrafluroethylene copolymer (ETFE). ETFE has become an important resin in wire and cable and automotive tubing applications. Its cut-through and abrasion resistance makes it an ideal material for wire insulation for airframe, military, electronics, and oil and gas production applications. ETFE is increasingly being used in mass transit cabling, select automotive applications, and film for aerospace applications as well as photovoltaic panels. “Demand for ETFE continues to grow due to its unique combination of mechanical and electrical properties, as well as its high temperature resistance,” said Tison Keel, vice president of sales and marketing. “Daikin America will continue to invest in ETFE capacity to support our customers and their growing demand for this product. We consider it a strategically important product within our fluoropolymer business.” Daikin America Inc – USA Fax : +1 845 365 9598 Email : customer.service@daikin-america.com Website : www.daikin-america.com

Ugitech – France Email : info@ugitech.com Website : www.ugitech.com

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EuroWire – March 2007