Custom mixing capacity growth slowed.

Custom mixing capacity growth slowed

The move to add capacity by the North American custom mixers has slowed after two years of significant growth according to Rubber World's annual survey of the industry. Less than 9% of this year's survey respondents indicated they would be adding to capacity compared to 33% in 1990 and 42% in 1989.

The survey is of 66 custom mixers in North America with an estimated annual capacity of 3.3 billion pounds.

For the first time since the survey began in 1984 the estimated capacity didn't increase as it remained at last year's 3.3 billion figure. Estimated capacity in 1984 was pegged at 1.5 billion pounds.

Expansion plans for 1991 were reported by: Blair Rubber is adding a press for curing thick sheet; Burton Rubber is adding a new mixing line in its Jonesborough, TN plant; Cri-Tech is undertaking a de-bottlenecking program to add capacity; Dyna Mix is currently installing another internal mixer; March 1 increased capacity by 10%; Martin Rubber is adding another internal mixer; Rauh Rubber will add 20 million pounds to capacity with a proprietary mixing system and Valley Rubber Mixing is adding an internal mixer and mixing mills.

Significant additions to capacity completed in 1990 were: Associated Rubber added a new plant in Huntingdon, TN along with an internal mixer at its Tallapoosa, GA facility; GLS Plastics added 9 million pounds to capacity; Graphic Arts Rubber added half a million pounds; Martin Rubber added one million pounds and Valley Rubber Mixing added half a million pounds.

Other survey results show that SBR and EPDM are by poundage the most mixed elastomers, splitting an estimate of 42% of the total; almost 12% of the volume is for natural rubber compounding and 25% of the mixers mix plastic materials.

A list of North American custom mixers begins on the next page. Information contained shows address, types of elastomers mixed and equipment used for mixing operations. [Graph Omitted]