Ascend Performance Materials displayed its expanded product portfolio, including products beyond polyamide 66, at Asia's biggest plastics trade show - Chinaplas 2021- in Shenzen. A new line of UL yellow card-certified Starflam flame-retardant polyamides, a high-temperature Vydyne XHT, and apparel and masks made with Acteev were all showcased.

The company has made investments in local manufacturing and an innovation centre in Suzhou, China. In 2020 and early 2021, Ascend purchased its compounding facility in Suzhou, two Italian manufacturers specialising in PA66, PA6 and masterbatches, and a French company specialised in flame-retardant compounds. The company also launched its HiDura long-chain polyamides and Acteev antimicrobial plastics, fibres and fabrics.

With its expanded portfolio and manufacturing footprint, Ascend aims to fully serve the growing e-mobility, electrical and electronics, and consumer segments.

"Much of our projected demand growth will be in China and Asia," said Kevin Wu, senior vice president and managing director of Asia for Ascend. "Our facility in Suzhou will make us more responsive to our customers' growth and the growing on-site innovation centre will allow us to quickly innovate and test new materials for specific customer applications."

Ascend operates under a five-year plan with the current plan focused on transforming the company into a more global, diversified and reliable supplier to its customers.

"Our investments over the past year have brought us closer to our customers in Asia and Europe, broadened our product portfolio in PA66 and specialty polyamides, and expanded our technical resources to work more closely with customers," said Phil McDivitt, president and CEO of Ascend.