Investment in technology by BEWi Group to enhance market position

At a glance

BEWi StyroChem, a leading supplier of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in Northern Europe, is investing in extruding technology at its Porvoo plant in Finland to increase its product portfolio and production capacity. The investment of almost EUR 6 billion will increase the production of grey EPS, which has better isolation characteristics than white products and has gained a significant share of the insulation market in Europe. The capacity increase will be approximately 12,000 t/a, or 10% of BEWi StyroChem's existing capacity, and the new production line will begin operating in the second quarter of 2017.

BEWi StyroChem, part of BEWi Group and a leading supplier of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in Northern Europe, is increasing its product portfolio and production capacity with an investment in extruding technology at its Porvoo plant in Finland.

The investment is to increase the production of EPS, by producing grey EPS through an extruding process. Grey EPS has about 20 percent better isolation characteristics compared to white products, and has already gained a considerable share of the insulation market in Europe.

“The investment amounts to almost EUR 6 billion and the capacity increase will be approximately 12,000 t/a, which corresponds to about 10 percent of BEWi StyroChem’s existing capacity. About ten new employees will operate the new production line.

“Through this investment, we want to strengthen our position in Northern Europe by offering a broader product portfolio to meet market requirements,” says Thomas Stendahl, managing director of BEWi StyroChem.

BEWi StyroChem concentrates on recycling fish boxes with EPS as the raw material for the future extruder line. The new production line will begin operating during the second quarter of 2017, and grey standard EPS and flameproof will then be launched in the market.