Formica Group Opens New Laminate Plant in China

formica plant in China w

Formica Group opened a new laminate production facility in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province of China. It is one of the largest facilities in Formica Group’s international operations, and marks a substantial new phase of development in Asia for Formica Group and its parent company, Fletcher Building. Government officials from Jiujiang City were in attendance as the doors to the new modern plant opened on November 7, 2013, two years after Formica Group and the Jiujiang government signed an agreement for the plant to be built.The plant houses 10 production presses which are capable of producing more than 484 million square meters of laminate a year when fully in operation. It is the only facility in China capable of providing high pressure laminate sized 6 by 14 ft., for which there reportedly is high demand from China and Europe.

Fletcher Building chief executive Mark Adamson reportedly said that China is a key global player in decorative materials production, consumption and exportation, and that the new Jiujiang plant sets a new benchmark for sustainable production in the decorative materials industry. “Fletcher Building as well as Formica Group has made a considerable investment in best practice material sourcing, waste management, energy efficiency, and emission control,” said Adamson.

Paul Zuckerman, chief executive of Fletcher Building’s Laminates and Panels Division, said China’??s rapid economic development has boosted demand for better commercial and residential working and living environments. “This will boost demand for green, multi-functional and high-quality laminate surfacing products,” said Zuckerman. “As part of our global strategy, Formica Decorative Materials (China) Co. Ltd. will not only feed China’s rapidly growing appetite for top quality laminate products, but also create maximum values to other markets.”

The new facility reportedly has a number of sustainable technologies in use, such as:

  • Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) industrial process for the treatment of exhaust air from phenolic impregnators, which reduces exhaust emissions
  • Regenerative carbon absorption equipment to treat exhaust air from melamine resin impregnators and the resin manufacturing plant
  • Advanced ventilation and air conditioning systems that comply with the strictest national standards
  • Modern building insulation methods and lighting controls to minimize energy consumption
  • The latest resin formula and production controls to limit environmental impact
  • Modern dust collection systems to minimize atmospheric emissions and make dust available for recycling in other industries
  • Up-to-date heat recovery equipment on all production presses; and
  • A rainwater collecting system to reuse the water for gardening and cleaning.