PGI is expanding its specialty materials manufacturing capabilities in North America at its San Luis Potosi, Mexico, facility. The anticipated plant expansion, which will include state-of-the-art printing capabilities with in-line slitting and packaging, is centered on solving the challenge of complicated supply chains and meeting a need for differentiated products for personal care product manufacturers. The result will allow customers to take advantage of a full-service facility producing, printing and slitting materials in a single location, taking advantage of PGI’s print expertise while simplifying and reducing risk in the supply chain.
 
“PGI recognizes the needs of our customers to provide differentiated products. Our investment in enhanced printing capabilities in North America allows customers to achieve this differentiation with the added advantage of servicing everything under one roof,” says Scott Tracey, president, North America & Global Wipes and Technical Specialties for PGI. “I am extremely proud of our Mexico site and the print expertise that it provides the organization. The plant expansion closely aligns with our growth strategy as the world’s leading specialty materials company.”
 
Print applications at the Mexico plant supply a range of personal care market areas including: feminine carepads and liners, adult incontinence bladder control pads and under pads and back sheet, sub-layer and top sheet materials for baby diapers. Other specialty materials planned for the new printer include healthcare products, water resistive and air barriers (house wrap) and roofing products for homebuilding as well as a full range of specialty packaging products.
 
The planned expansion will bring print capacity to 600 million square meters at the site providing it with the ability to produce multiple colors, narrow slit widths and enhanced registration. The new asset is expected to be commercial in the fourth quarter.
 
The expansion will serve PGI’s specialty materials offering for personal care, infection prevention and high-performance solutions.