FRAUENFELD, Swizterland – sia Abrasives has opened its new manufacturing plant for coated abrasives at its headquarters in Frauenfeld, Switzerland.
After two years of construction, the factory officially opened on May 2, and is the most modern facility of its kind, according to the company. With a surface area of 112,000 square feet and a cost of more than $60 million, it’s one of the most significant investments sia Abrasives has ever made in its 135-year history. The company says this new investment will accelerate its aggressive growth plans for the U.S. market.
Using the latest technical means, it’s now possible for sia Abrasives to manufacture all types of abrasive products based upon specific surface parameters, including material removal requirements, desired finish and product structure.
The new factory can produce more than 430 million square feet of abrasives in one year – enough for a 10-foot roll of material to completely circle the globe. Designed with an eye toward the future, this capacity can potentially be doubled to meet future demand. Additionally, with a longer manufacturing width of up to 77 inches, sia Abrasives can readily expand into new market segments requiring larger-sized sanding belts with a minimal number of belt joints.
According to sia Abrasives, the new plant enables the company to improve its ability to service the customer – while at the same time providing a consistently high level of quality. Integral to the project was the new workflow process, which ensures that production is almost entirely free of interruption, the company says.
In addition, the plant was constructed according to strict ecological guidelines. For example, new preparation methods for binder resin have eliminated industrial wastewater. Additionally, air conduction and heat recovery processes have been optimized to reduce heat consumption. Furthermore, all harmful substances are destroyed in an exhaust air cleaning plant.
