PRW
Published: November 18, 2014 9:40 am ET
Updated: November 18, 2014 9:49 am ET

Image By: Victrex plc
Victrex plc invested $25 million for its nex Aptiv film plant in England.

Victrex plc has launched production at its new $25 million manufacturing facility for high performance thermoplastic film Aptiv, with the United Kingdom’s Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne taking part in the opening celebration.

The firm believes demand for the product, made at its facility in Thornton Cleveleys, England, is rising, particularly across the aerospace, automotive and electronics industries.

This is also being driven by trends in portable consumer electronics to improve sound quality, clarity and performance, with enhanced user functionality in thinner, lighter and smaller products.

The film is currently used in millions of smartphone speaker for diaphragms, as well as in aerospace applications and in electrical drive and generator systems in the automotive and energy sector.

Victrex Polymer Solutions managing director Tim Cooper said: “Victrex is a growing U,K. export champion and we were delighted to welcome the chancellor to unveil our new polymer film plant, which has helped create high quality U.K. jobs.

“While 97 percent of our sales are from outside the U.K., we have a strong track record of investing and creating jobs here and, being at the forefront of U.K. science and innovation, we have stressed the importance of promoting science and engineering skills in the future.”

Victrex is also investing $141 million in its third PEEK manufacturing plant at its facility in Thornton Cleveleys. The plant will begin operation in early 2015.