B.C. Film Manufacturer Adds Capacity

The Layfield Group, a Richmond, B.C.-based manufacturer, has announced a $5 million expansion at its Richmond Poly Films Division. The investment includes a Battenfeld Gloucester advanced co-extrusion production line.

“The new line employs state-of-the-art technology, which will allow us to increase our production substantially,” said Henry Zbuk, marketing manager for Layfield Poly Films. “The new equipment will also help Layfield stay at the forefront of the industry and maintain its position as a leading supplier of blown film products to the North American market.”

The line is expected to boost the company’s capacity by up to 10 million lb./yr. Potential end uses for the co-ex film will include food processing applications such as frozen foods, cereal boxes, fresh-cut products, co-ex form-fill-seal, industrial liners and agricultural applications. Additionally, a portion of the new capacity will be sold through Layfield’s Environmental, Geosynthetics and Industrial (EGI) Fabrics Division in Edmonton. EGI will introduce a new flexible geomembrane liner technology in 2005, including a single- and double-sided textured geomembrane, along with multi-polymer membranes for difficult chemical and heat resistant applications.