Ascend presents expanded portfolio, local production and technical resources at Chinaplas

April 13, 2021

Ascend Performance Materials returns to Asia’s biggest plastics trade show this year after investments in local manufacturing and an innovation center in Suzhou, China, and an expanded product portfolio, including products beyond polyamide 66.

In 2020 and early 2021, Ascend purchased its compounding facility in Suzhou, two Italian manufacturers specializing in PA66, PA6 and masterbatches, and a French company specialized in flame-retardant compounds. The company also officially launched its HiDura™ long-chain polyamides and Acteev™ antimicrobial plastics, fibers and fabrics.

With its expanded portfolio and manufacturing footprint, Ascend aims to fully serve the growing e-mobility, electrical and electronics, and consumer segments.

“Much of our projected demand growth will be in China and Asia,” said Kevin Wu, senior vice president and managing director of Asia for Ascend. “Our facility in Suzhou will make us more responsive to our customers’ growth and the growing on-site innovation center will allow us to quickly innovate and test new materials for specific customer applications.”

Ascend operates under a five-year plan with the strategy for the current plan focused on transforming the company into a more global, diversified and reliable supplier to its customers.

“Our investments over the past year have brought us closer to our customers in Asia and Europe, broadened our product portfolio in PA66 and specialty polyamides, and expanded our technical resources to work more closely with customers,” said Phil McDivitt, president and CEO of Ascend.

The company is featuring its expanded portfolio, including a new line of UL yellow card-certified Starflam® flame-retardant polyamides, a high-temperature Vydyne® XHT, a portfolio of HiDura LCPAs, and apparel and masks made with Acteev at Chinaplas 2021 in Shenzen at the SWECC booth 17L40 from 13-16 April.